Thai Defence Ministry prepared for AC

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Defence has been prepared for the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat announced on Friday, when presiding over a ceremony marking the 126th anniversary of the Defence Ministry, that his ministry has prepared both personnel and structure for Thailand’s smooth participation in the AC. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol said at the ceremony, in which Thai Supreme Commander General Thanasak Patimaprakorn and all armed forces chiefs also took part that his ministry has also developed its training, education, warfare and other affairs and its efficiency has generally resulted in national peace. The defence minister acknowledged, however, that security problems have remained in the Thai far South and the 4th Army Area Command, which supervises security in the region, is improving its tactics to deal with the situation. The defence minister confirmed that the government's existing strategies and policies for the Thai deep South have, nonetheless, been on the right track and peace negotiations with insurgent groups will continue. According to the defence minister, Thailand is geographically at the center of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is a good luck, and, if neighboring countries in ASEAN are united and cooperate with one another, Thailand, as a regional hub, will be happy and enjoy high security. The defence minister also suggested if Thailand maintains friendship with neighboring countries, namely Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia and Vietnam, the whole ASEAN bloc will enjoy benefits. (TNA)