Bangkok--Oct 10--MFA
Remarks
By
H.E. Somchai Wongsawat
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
At the Morning Reception With Members of the Diplomatic Corps
and Heads of International Organizations
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
--------------------
Your Excellency Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr. Salim Issa Ali Al Kattam Al Zaabi,
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Heads of International Organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour to welcome you all to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I appreciate your presence at this morning get-together. My Government and I delivered the Policy Statement to the Parliament yesterday, although there were some events instigated by certain groups who tried to prevent the parliamentary debate. However, our police forces have acted under the framework of the law. My Government will be able begin to implement our policies from now on.
Many of you have served in Thailand for a long time. I have had the privilege of knowing many of you during my time as a Cabinet Minister in the previous administration. I appreciate your understanding of what our country is going through. This morning, I wish to stress three points:
First, my government is committed to ensuring confidence in our political system. We continue to abide by parliamentary democratic rule and intend to uphold the rule of law. We will resolve domestic problems through the democratic process. My government will do its best to live up to the wishes of the Thai people to foster cohesiveness and solidarity. Thailand is a resilient society and has been able to weather political storms in the past with great strength.
Second, my government intends to restore Thailand’s economic dynamism. We will boost our economy so as to minimize the risks arising from the present global financial volatility. At the same time, we will continue to pursue open, market-friendly trade and investment policies. We will work hard to restore business confidence. We intend to provide an investment friendly climate. We continue to welcome foreign investments in Thailand.
This brings me to my third point. Thailand continues to respect all its existing commitments and obligations under international law, the United Nations Charter, ASEAN as well as bilateral commitments with our friends around the globe. My government intends to enhance and expand cordial relations with all countries and international organizations.
As Chair of ASEAN, Thailand is honoured to host the ASEAN and related Summits this December. Preparations are progressing as scheduled. We intend to live up to our reputation as an exemplary host.
I intend to play my part in effectively leading ASEAN to promote a more prosperous and cohesive Southeast Asia. I will be visiting my ASEAN colleagues over the course of next week to discuss both bilateral issues as well as our progress in establishing the ASEAN Community.
Regional prosperity, however, also depends very much on the health of the global economy. Next month, I will be attending a series of Summit meetings beginning with ASEM in Beijing to be followed by ACMECS in Hanoi and BIMSTEC in New Delhi and concluding with APEC in Lima, Peru. I hope to use such occasions to work with other regional leaders in addressing the global economic downturn and its repercussions. We will intensify cooperation with the international financial community to address the current crisis. Thailand hopes to share its experiences of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the lessons learnt.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
As announced in my Policy Statement yesterday, my government has an ambitious agenda. We intend to promote Thailand as a regional hub for key sectors ranging from health care to air cargo transport, and telecommunications to education and tourism. To this end, we will continue to stimulate investment in infrastructure development to enhance our economic competitiveness and promote regional prosperity.
The Diplomatic Corps in Bangkok has played a crucial role in promoting Thailand’s stature in the international community. My Cabinet Ministers and I look forward to working closely with all of you in realizing our common goals throughout the coming months and years.
Thank you for your attention.
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-
Remarks
By
H.E. Somchai Wongsawat
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
At the Morning Reception With Members of the Diplomatic Corps
and Heads of International Organizations
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
--------------------
Your Excellency Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr. Salim Issa Ali Al Kattam Al Zaabi,
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Heads of International Organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour to welcome you all to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I appreciate your presence at this morning get-together. My Government and I delivered the Policy Statement to the Parliament yesterday, although there were some events instigated by certain groups who tried to prevent the parliamentary debate. However, our police forces have acted under the framework of the law. My Government will be able begin to implement our policies from now on.
Many of you have served in Thailand for a long time. I have had the privilege of knowing many of you during my time as a Cabinet Minister in the previous administration. I appreciate your understanding of what our country is going through. This morning, I wish to stress three points:
First, my government is committed to ensuring confidence in our political system. We continue to abide by parliamentary democratic rule and intend to uphold the rule of law. We will resolve domestic problems through the democratic process. My government will do its best to live up to the wishes of the Thai people to foster cohesiveness and solidarity. Thailand is a resilient society and has been able to weather political storms in the past with great strength.
Second, my government intends to restore Thailand’s economic dynamism. We will boost our economy so as to minimize the risks arising from the present global financial volatility. At the same time, we will continue to pursue open, market-friendly trade and investment policies. We will work hard to restore business confidence. We intend to provide an investment friendly climate. We continue to welcome foreign investments in Thailand.
This brings me to my third point. Thailand continues to respect all its existing commitments and obligations under international law, the United Nations Charter, ASEAN as well as bilateral commitments with our friends around the globe. My government intends to enhance and expand cordial relations with all countries and international organizations.
As Chair of ASEAN, Thailand is honoured to host the ASEAN and related Summits this December. Preparations are progressing as scheduled. We intend to live up to our reputation as an exemplary host.
I intend to play my part in effectively leading ASEAN to promote a more prosperous and cohesive Southeast Asia. I will be visiting my ASEAN colleagues over the course of next week to discuss both bilateral issues as well as our progress in establishing the ASEAN Community.
Regional prosperity, however, also depends very much on the health of the global economy. Next month, I will be attending a series of Summit meetings beginning with ASEM in Beijing to be followed by ACMECS in Hanoi and BIMSTEC in New Delhi and concluding with APEC in Lima, Peru. I hope to use such occasions to work with other regional leaders in addressing the global economic downturn and its repercussions. We will intensify cooperation with the international financial community to address the current crisis. Thailand hopes to share its experiences of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the lessons learnt.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
As announced in my Policy Statement yesterday, my government has an ambitious agenda. We intend to promote Thailand as a regional hub for key sectors ranging from health care to air cargo transport, and telecommunications to education and tourism. To this end, we will continue to stimulate investment in infrastructure development to enhance our economic competitiveness and promote regional prosperity.
The Diplomatic Corps in Bangkok has played a crucial role in promoting Thailand’s stature in the international community. My Cabinet Ministers and I look forward to working closely with all of you in realizing our common goals throughout the coming months and years.
Thank you for your attention.
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-