ASEAN flies flags at half mast during royal cremation ceremonies

BANGKOK, Oct 27 (TNA) -- The permanent mission of Thailand to ASEAN reported that the ASEAN secretariat flew ASEAN flags at half mast at the secretariat and other ASEAN-related institutions in Jakarta on Oct 25-27 during ceremonies related to the royal cremation of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Busadee Santipitaks, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, quoted the report of the Thai permanent mission to ASEAN as saying that it responded to the Revised Guideline on the Use of ASEAN Flag as approved by ten ASEAN members. According to the guideline, ASEAN flags are flown at half mast for three days when a leader of an ASEAN state passes away or there is a funeral ceremony related to the passing. The permanent missions to ASEAN accordingly reached a resolution concerning Thailand in their meeting on Oct 10. All Thai embassies, consulates-general and permanent missions worldwide flew ASEAN and Thai national flags at half mast from Oct 13 to 29, Ms Busadee said. (TNA)