Bangkok--Apr 1--MFA
On 28 March 2008, Mr. Christopher Bond, U.S. Republican Senator from Missouri, called on Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama to extend his congratulations on Thailand’s return to democracy and on the auspicious occasion of the 175th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Thailand and the United States.
On this occasion, Foreign Minister Noppadon and Senator Bond exchanged views on several important topics, including the latter’s interest in Thailand’s political situation and the role of Thailand, as the upcoming chair, in ASEAN. In this connection, the Foreign Minister informed the Senator that full-fledged parliamentary democracy had return to Thailand, with a relatively stable political situation. Now with a popularly-elected government in place, Thailand stood ready to welcome more foreign investment in the country.
As Thailand would be assuming the ASEAN Chair this July, the Foreign Minister also elaborated on his intention to help make ASEAN a more effective, rule-based, people-centered organization so that member states could work together to find concrete solutions to the many challenges facing the region, including the issue of Myanmar. The Foreign Minister also expressed hope that all ASEAN member states should be able to ratify the ASEAN Charter by the end of this year, including Thailand, which should be by June.
The role of the United States in Southeast Asia was another main topic of discussion between the two sides. Foreign Minister Noppadon hoped the United States would increase its co-operation with the region and with ASEAN, thus contributing to the region’s stability and prosperity.
Regarding bilateral issues, Foreign Minister Noppadon also sought Senator Bond’s support on three issues, which the Senator said he would discuss with the agencies concerned upon this return to the United States. These include, one, the reinvigoration of the “Friends of Thailand” Group in the U.S. Congress to help promote closer Thai-U.S. relations; two, the return of GSP privileges on gold jewelry exports from Thailand, which would help assist 30,000 workers in the respective industry in the Southern provinces of Thailand; and three, the upgrading of Thailand’s status from Priority Watch List (PWL) to Watch List (WL) given the progress made in the Kingdom on IPR issues.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
On 28 March 2008, Mr. Christopher Bond, U.S. Republican Senator from Missouri, called on Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama to extend his congratulations on Thailand’s return to democracy and on the auspicious occasion of the 175th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Thailand and the United States.
On this occasion, Foreign Minister Noppadon and Senator Bond exchanged views on several important topics, including the latter’s interest in Thailand’s political situation and the role of Thailand, as the upcoming chair, in ASEAN. In this connection, the Foreign Minister informed the Senator that full-fledged parliamentary democracy had return to Thailand, with a relatively stable political situation. Now with a popularly-elected government in place, Thailand stood ready to welcome more foreign investment in the country.
As Thailand would be assuming the ASEAN Chair this July, the Foreign Minister also elaborated on his intention to help make ASEAN a more effective, rule-based, people-centered organization so that member states could work together to find concrete solutions to the many challenges facing the region, including the issue of Myanmar. The Foreign Minister also expressed hope that all ASEAN member states should be able to ratify the ASEAN Charter by the end of this year, including Thailand, which should be by June.
The role of the United States in Southeast Asia was another main topic of discussion between the two sides. Foreign Minister Noppadon hoped the United States would increase its co-operation with the region and with ASEAN, thus contributing to the region’s stability and prosperity.
Regarding bilateral issues, Foreign Minister Noppadon also sought Senator Bond’s support on three issues, which the Senator said he would discuss with the agencies concerned upon this return to the United States. These include, one, the reinvigoration of the “Friends of Thailand” Group in the U.S. Congress to help promote closer Thai-U.S. relations; two, the return of GSP privileges on gold jewelry exports from Thailand, which would help assist 30,000 workers in the respective industry in the Southern provinces of Thailand; and three, the upgrading of Thailand’s status from Priority Watch List (PWL) to Watch List (WL) given the progress made in the Kingdom on IPR issues.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-