Thai MFA continues briefing allies on updated domestic situation

BANGKOK, June 5 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has continued briefing allied nations on the updated domestic situation and plans, following a coup staged by the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on May 22, 2014, aimed to restore peace and order in the country. Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow is visiting Vietnam for the mission, set from June 4-5, after his trip to Myanmar, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), earlier this week. Sihasak and other Thai delegates also briefed the domestic situation and plans to countries attending the the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue (IISS), a security summit in Asia and the Pacific, held in Singapore from May 30-June 1, including the United States, Australia, Japan and Germany. Sihasak told TNA from Vietnam on Thursday morning that he believed Thailand's clear direction toward reconciliation and a fresh general election would make allies countries and the international community understand the NCPO's decision to stage the May 22 coup. Sihasak, who is scheduled to meet with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh later in the day. said that Vietnam is the third ASEAN member countries, after Singapore and Myanmar, he has visited and it is necessary to make Vietnam, a close neighbour, understand the situation in Thailand and why the NCPO needs to control the national administrative power. According to the senior official, the NCPO has three clear steps toward the national reconciliation and a fresh general election, which should create confidence in Thailand among allied nations and the world community. The senior official acknowledged that Foreign Ministry officials will later visit other ASEAN member countries and then Japan, China and Australia, along with meeting foreign journalists in Thailand to observe the mission and to clear their doubts so that they can publicize the situation in Thailand accurately. In response to countries which have cut or downsized their cooperation with Thailand, namely their financial assistance, the senior Thai officials called on the nations to consider long term advantages and Thailand's political and economic roles in the region. (TNA)