Thailand prepares for hosting ASEAN Summit 2019

BANGKOK, June 11 (TNA) - Playing the chairmanship role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2019, Thailand is preparing for its host of this year's ASEAN Summit and related forums in Bangkok later this month. Caretaker Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai told journalists of the move on Tuesday, acknowledging that Thailand's host of the ASEAN Summit 2019 and related forums, when successful, will promote security and stability in the region. Don affirmed that several countries have shown their sound understanding about developments in Thailand. "Today is an auspicious day for the Thai Kingdom, as Caretaker Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha was set to receive, at Bangkok's Government House, a Royal Command officially appointing him to be the country's next prime minister for his second term", said the caretaker foreign minister. The caretaker foreign minister insisted on hard working of the Prayut administration over the past five years to drive forward the national development even during the ongoing transitional period before the new Thai government takes office, after the country's new general election over the past couple of months. Meanwhile, the caretaker foreign minister brushed aside a recent comment in an editorial column of the Washington Post English Newspaper that it should not be the right time yet for the United States to restore the full relationship with Thailand, mentioning that it was a single media comment. "It's unnecesary for the newly-elected Thai government to clarify the issue with Washington, but the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have to brief the international media on the Thai government's performance over the past five years", the caretaker foreign minister noted. (TNA)