Government will explain to other countries about political situation in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 3 (TNA) – The Thai government will send a mission to foreign countries to clarify the political situation, aiming to make the countries have a better understanding about the real situation in the kingdom, according to Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya.

He said Thai officials are collecting information and preparing letters to clarify the ‘most frequently asked questions’ regarding 12 issues about the recent political situation in Thailand.

President of Thailand Trade Representative Kiat Sittheeamorn has been appointed to lead the mission, he said.

Mr Kasit earlier met US Senator Jim Webb, Chairman of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who asked about the situation in Thailand.

The minister said he told Mr Webb that Thailand still adheres to the five-point reconciliation plan and setting up an independent panel to probe the deadly clashes between the security forces and the anti-government ‘Red Shirt’ United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

At least 88 people died and nearly 1,900 were injured during two months of political unrest.

Sen Webb earlier paid a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House for 10 minutes.

He told Mr Abhisit that he had closely monitored the political situation in Thailand and that the US Senate had unanimously approved a resolution affirming support for “a strong and vital alliance” with Thailand.

Sen Webb added that the US Senate also backed Mr Abhisit’s five-point road map for national reconciliation and supported the implementation of peaceful measures to solve problems.

Under the national reconciliation plan, it calls for respect for the monarchy, greater social equality, an impartial media, an independent probe into the current political crisis and a debate on the need for constitutional reform.

The US senator asked about the black-clad militants and the premier explained that these groups had skills in using arms and had infiltrated into the protesters.

Mr Abhisit stressed that the government was trying its best to use peaceful and reconciliatory measures to tackle the problems.

Sen Webb, a strong supporter of engaging Myanmar, is visiting South Korea and Thailand during his May 29-June 6 trip to Asia. (TNA)