Thai PM to attend UNGA71 in New York

BANGKOK, September 14 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha will leave for the United States early next week to attend the 71st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA71) at the UN Headquarters in New York, scheduled for September 19-26. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukhondhapatipak told journalists of the schedule on September 13, saying that on the occasion, the Thai prime minister will also attend a High-Level Plenary Meeting on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants (HLM) on September 19, prior to the UNGA71 session. The deputy spokesman stated that the HLM meeting, chaired by US President Barack Obama, will discuss the draft of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants and the importance of international cooperation in response to refugee and migration flows. According to the deputy spokesman, Thailand will stress on using laws as a tool to stop torture and disappearance of victims, as well as to protect refugees from danger in third countries. Besides, Thailand will also talk about the country’s established system to screen human trafficking victims and refugees from offenders and will raise a proposed idea on the need for sustainable solution to the problem of migration in countries of origin, after the Thai Cabinet has earlier approved the idea. The deputy spokesman noted that the prime minister will also affirm Thailand's stance on addressing irregular migration-releated problems and will call on all countries to share responsibility in taking refugees and to protect those in vulnerable groups like women and children, while also providing them with education. (TNA)