On 22 January 2010, His Excellency Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, briefed the diplomatic corps on the government’s performance over the past year and the current situation in Thailand. Lieutenant General Daopong Ratanasuwon, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army, Police Major General Wanchai Tanatkit, Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region One, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Naratpol Lertratapapas, Superintendent of Rachathewa Police Station, also joined in the briefing. A total of ninety participants, including twenty ambassadors, five charg? d’affaires and four heads of international organizations, attended this event. Gist of the briefing is as follows:
1) Foreign Minister Kasit recalled that the Government’s three main tasks when it assumed office in December 2008, including tackling the domestic economic crisis caused by the global economic downturn, maintaining good governance and democracy, and carrying out the responsibilities as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN). He then went on to note that the government has achieved progress and succeeded in all three areas.
2) On the international front, Foreign Minister Kasit said that the Prime Minister’s trips abroad, including to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, the United Nations General Assembly and the Climate Change Summit, were successful. The Government has been successful in projecting Thailand’s image on the international stage and regaining confidence in Thailand through constant dialogue and consultations and by conveying its messages about government policies and the country’s situation through international news media.
3) On the economy, Foreign Minister Kasit noted that the Government has been able to address the economic situation which is now on the road to recovery. Overall contraction for 2009 is estimated to be 3% compared with an earlier estimate of some 8-9%, while 2010 should see a growth of around 3.5%. He also elaborated on the Government’s economic measures, particularly the first stimulus package, which aimed at helping those most in need, to be followed by the second stimulus package and the Thai Khem Khaeng investment programme for 2009-2012 worth 1.43 trillion baht. He also highlighted some of the government’s economic measures such as the income stability programme for farmers through price guarantee schemes, and the 15-year free education programme — both of which were implemented for the first time in Thailand.
The foreign minister further noted that Thailand has seen an improved investment climate, now being ranked 12th out of 183 countries in World Bank’s ease of doing business index. Meanwhile, on the issue of the Map Ta Phut industrial estate, he assured the audience that the government is working hard towards resolving the issue in such a way that would provide balance and achieve sustainable growth that is acceptable to all stakeholders. According to Foreign Minister Kasit, once the situation of Map Ta Phut is solved, Thailand will have achieved its goal of “going green” as the country is going for international standards of health and the environment.
4) On the international stage, the foreign minister said that Thailand has been working with neighbouring countries in the areas of development, and most recently, Thailand is sending relief assistance to Haiti, which includes 100,000 USD and 20,000 tonnes of rice, 100 tonnes of which would be sent by air as a token by 1 February 2010 and the rest by ship. The country will also organize a team of doctors to work in cooperation with the Mexican government, as well as consider the possibility of joining operations under the UN umbrella during the recovery period.
In ASEAN, Thailand will work towards achieving an ASEAN Community by 2015, implementing the ASEAN Charter, and enhancing connectivity. Foreign Minister Kasit also said that Thailand hopes to play a more active role on the international stage such as in the UN peacekeeping operations, and is running as candidates for the membership of the UN Human Rights Council in 2010 and the UN Security Councils in 2017-2018.
5) On the domestic political front, Foreign Minister Kasit reiterated the government’s policy to ensure the rule of law and good governance and its determination to work in a transparent and accountable manner, with no vested interest, as well as continue to allow for freedom of expression.
6) With regard to possible demonstrations by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Foreign Minister Kasit reassured the diplomatic corps that (1) freedom of expression would be allowed as long as it is within the bounds of the law; (2) there would be no violent incidents or disruptions to air traffic; and (3) all agencies including the government, the police, the military and the airport authorities, are working closely together to ensure peaceful and orderly demonstrations should these go ahead. He noted that the authorities concerned have already worked out operational plans to handle the situation. He also emphasized that political protests in Thailand have not targeted foreigners. The representatives from the Royal Thai Army and the police then briefed the diplomatic corps in more details on the contingency plans they have prepared to ensure security of the airport and non-disruption of air traffic.
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