UN urged to mediate in Thailand conflict: Surapong

WEDNESDAY, February 26, 2014

Caretaker Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Wednesday urged the UN to mediate in the escalating political conflict in Thailand.

Surapong, who is also deputy prime minister and chief adviser to the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), said he telephoned UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon this morning, seeking his advice on how to resolve Thailand’s political impasse.
He said the UN chief would be the most suitable person to find a way out for Thailand now that the conflicts have worsened, resulting in the deaths of four children.
“When disputes arose in countries like Syria, Ukraine, Egypt or Rwanda, the UN was too late (in reaching the countries). If we get advice early enough, Thailand should be able to solve the problems,” he said.
Surapong said he would submit an official proposal to the UN if he CMPO agreed. He said protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has refused to accept a neutral person to mediate negotiations so the UN would be the most suitable neutral body.

He added, “If the Democrat Party suspects that the general election would be unfair, the UN has an agency to supervise it to ensure a fair election. It depends on whether we want to use them.

“We have to be open without thinking that they are intervening in Thailand’s domestic affairs. If there is a civil war, it is inevitable that the UN will intervene to explore reconciliation.”