Thailand upbeat on getting a UN Security Council seat

Since 2009, the Kingdom has promoted, campaigned, and carried out a range of activities in the international arena to bid for the UNSC seat as it believes it is a good forum to forge security cooperation and project its voice on the world’s largest multilateral arena.

The decision will be made next Tuesday, when elections for the seat will be held during the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York City.

Thailand is assured of nine votes, as all Asean foreign ministers agreed during their retreat last year to support their regional member. Thailand, however, will need many more backers from the UN members, with a fresh competitor like Kazakhstan joining the race against.

The only time Thailand got a seat on the UNSC was in 1985-86.

Thailand’s key campaigner for the seat is former Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, who pointed out yesterday that Thailand will stake its claim based on its record of sustainable development following the principles of His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy.

Surin pointed out that the philosophy is in line with the UN’s 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals with the hope of securing the world for future generations.

Thailand is also focused on its multilateral mindset, commitment to the global community, environmental protection, progressive efforts to combat HIV, and the presence of Thai peacekeeping troops in a number of countries, Surin said.

Surin, however, admitted that Thailand’s political setbacks, especially during his term in Asean from 2008-2012, led to discontinuity in the campaigning process.

“Thailand had totally five prime ministers during my time in Asean,” he said “There were problems with delivering policies [from cabinet to cabinet],”

Surin said he was positive about the upcoming vote, based on feedback he has heard so far.

Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Apichart Chinwanno, meanwhile, said that Thailand was focused on sustainable development with a 20-year national strategy designed by the military-installed government.

Apichart said that Thailand had a proven track record and experience as compared to a new entrant like Kazakhstan.

Thailand also has the advantage of heading the Group of 77, allowing women a role in peacekeeping missions, and its capacity as a bridge builder among countries, Apichart said.

“The competition is tight, but I’m positive,” he added.