On 6 May 2009, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave a press conference to review the government’s six-month undertakings on foreign affairs since its assumption of office. Gist as follows:
- Thailand has hosted or co-hosted regional and international meetings such as the Bangkok Workshop on Achieving a Mine-Free South-East Asia, the 2nd OECD-Southeast Asia Regional Forum and the ESCAP 65th Commission Session.
- While Thailand is yet to hold the East Asian Summit, the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of ASEAN countries and dialogue partners held in Pattaya in April had agreed on various important issues including humanitarian assistance, disaster management and peace-keeping under the UN framework. The cabinet also approved the dispatch of one battalion of Thai troops to join the UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur, Sudan.
- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Foreign Minister have visited many countries to foster closer bilateral relations as well as attended various international meetings including the PM’s official visit to the UK to participate in the G20 Summit in London and FM’s official visit to the US. Additionally, Deputy Prime Ministers and other Ministers also made overseas trips to enhance cooperation and revive confidence of foreign countries in the Kingdom.
- Consecutively, Thailand has also welcomed high-level visits from various countries such as by the Foreign Ministers of China and Russia, and the Privy Councilors of Bhutan.
- This month, Prime Minister Abhisit is scheduled to visit Hong Kong SAR to meet with its Chief Executive and the island’s top businessmen. Foreign Minister Kasit is scheduled to visit Australia to co-chair the Thai-Australia Joint Commission, while Vice Foreign Minister Panich Vikitsreth will soon attend the OIC Ministerial Meeting in Damascus, Syria.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th
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