On 10-11 December 2009, Mr. Surapong Jayanama, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Second Bali Democracy Forum in Bali, Indonesia. The Forum brought together leaders, ministers and ambassadors from 37 countries in Asia-Pacific region, and 10 other observers from Europe, to exchange ideas and share experiences on democracy.
During the general debate, Mr. Surapong Jayanama delivered a speech on Thailand’s state of democracy: its successes, challenges and work to be done. Mr. Jayanama highlighted the Government’s determination to govern the country through transparency, good governance with respect for the rule of law. Education, equal opportunity for all and sustainable development are key objectives for the Government to promote long-term and sustainable democracy and development in Thailand. Also mentioned was Thailand’s role in promoting cooperation in regional and international arena such as ASEAN, Inter-Parliamentary Union, Asia-Pacific Democracy Partnership and Community of Democracies.
Mr. Surapong Jayanama joined the ministerial interactive sessions in discussions on “Democracy and the Rule of Law” and “Democracy in the Information Age”. Discussions focused on the experiences of participating countries in developing and sustaining the rule of law in democratic system and the use of information as well as information technology for the development of democracy. Mr. Surapong Jayanama gave his view that although democracy is an evolving process that is unique to each country’s historical and social background, it is the duty of each government to instill a culture of democracy that can be sustained in each society. It is also the duty of the government to empower their own people to be able to analyse and make use of information that they come across in the information age.
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