Thailand Disappointed With US Official's Remarks

From Minggu Simon Lhasa BANGKOK, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Thailand has expressed concerns and disappointment over recent remarks by a United States top official, which it considered as interfering in the domestic political situation. In a statement, Thailand Foreign Ministry said many quarters in Thailand regarded some parts of US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel's speech on Monday at the Institute of Security and International Studies, Chulalongkorn University, could fuel further political sentiments in Thailand. Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai conveyed the dissapointment in a meeting with Patrick Murphy, charge d'affairs of the US Embassy in Thailand, the ministry said. According to the online version of the Nation English daily, the meeting was held at the order of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, as the Thai government wanted to explain about the political situation in Thailand. The Nation said during the speech on Monday, Russel implied that the impeachment of the deposed former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was politically driven. Russel, who visited Thailand on Monday, had met with Yingluck, former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its statement, said Don also informed Murphy that Prayuth planned to attend the 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, and hoped that the US could consider using this opportunity to reinforce bilateral ties. -- BERNAMA