US assured of Thai pledge to democracy
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Sihasak briefs Obama and US officials on junta's roadmap ahead of UN conference
Thailand told the United States that it had reaffirmed its faith in democratic values, while US President Barack Obama saw the importance of security in the Kingdom, said Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
Sihasak was in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly and to make preparations for deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn’s attendance at the annual conference.
Sihasak said he met Obama during a dinner reception and had a chance to explain the political situation in Thailand.
Washington has been heavily critical of the coup, freezing military cooperation and assistance to the Kingdom.
The US wants Thailand to return to the democratic path as soon as possible and deliver an inclusive reform process towards democracy.
In the US, Sihasak met with Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel.
He said Russel remained concerned over political developments in Thailand but the permanent secretary told his American counterpart the future for the country looked bright because the junta had a roadmap for democracy and national reconciliation.
He said Thailand was a strategic partner of the US, which was not only important for peace and stability in Asia and the Pacific but also for playing a leading role in Asean.
Russel urged Thailand and other Asean nations to cooperate in combating Islamic extremism in Iraq and Syria.
Sihasak said he told Russel that Thailand shared the same concerns and condemned terrorism.
Tanasak left Bangkok for New York on Wednesday and was scheduled to deliver his speech tomorrow.
Sihasak said the speech would emphasise the important of His Majesty the King’s self-sufficiency economy philosophy as a key development guide in the Kingdom.
Sustainable development and achieving the Millennium Develop-ment Goals were priorities for the government.
He said the minister would also tell UN members that Thailand was ready and strongly committed to its international obligation to combat new security threats.
Thailand would show its development agenda vision and its role in peacekeeping in Sudan as well as in combating cross-border diseases and natural disaster.
In another development, junta chief General Prayut Chan-ocha will visit Myanmar in early October in what will be his first overseas trip since becoming prime minister, according to Thailand’s ambassador to Myanmar Pisanu Suvanajata.
The exact date has not yet been fixed but it is expected he will visit
Nay Pyi Taw after October 7, a source said.
