On 18 May 2009, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Ambassadors and Charge d'Affaires of the members of the Organization of the Islamic Conferences (OIC) at the Foreign Ministry.
During the meeting, the foreign minister and the OIC diplomats discussed a probable date for their visit to the Southern Border Provinces (SBPs). The trip, similar to the one arranged for the European diplomats earlier but tailored to the OIC diplomats’ interests, will offer the group a comprehensive picture of the latest developments and situation in the SBPs. Foreign Minister Kasit emphasized the priority given to the SBPs by the Government and policy measures currently undertaken including constituting the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) as a permanent organisation, expediting outstanding legal cases and application of the Shariah law in the region. Thailand, as an observer to the OIC, will present this peaceful approach and latest developments in the SBPs during the upcoming 36th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC (CFM36), to be held in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic, between 23 — 25 May. The Foreign Minister has appointed Mr. Panich Vikitsreth, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, as his Special Envoy and Head of the Thai Delegation to the CFM36.
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