US lauds Thailand on humanitarian assistance

BANGKOK, May 31 (TNA) - United States Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has praised Thailand on its determination to solve illegal fishing and hosting a regional meeting in Bangkok on May 29 to address the Rohingya migration problem. Thai Defence Ministry spokesman said Mr. Carter told Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan during the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, that the regional meeting on the boat people crisis would enable more countries to realise the problem and would lead to cooperation among countries in the region to help solve the crux. US Secretary of Defense also commended Thailand’s role in providing humanitarian assistance to Nepal after that country was hit by quakes, and in supporting the Cobra Gold joint military exercise. Defence ministers, permanent secretaries of ministries and military chiefs from some 30 Asia-Pacific countries are attending the meeting, being held from May 29-31. (TNA)