Nordic leaders thank Thais for help

BANGKOK: -- The prime ministers of Sweden, Norway and Finland yesterday expressed their gratitude not only to the Thai government but to ordinary Thais who they said had worked tirelessly and shown great compassion in helping tsunami victims from their countries.

Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson, Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Bondevik and Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen told a press conference last night that accounts from survivors and their relatives had left them deeply impressed with the kindness of ordinary Thais and the tireless way they helped the nationals of their countries.

They said the Dec 26 tragedy had bonded their countries to the Thai people and they promised to help with an early warning system in the Indian Ocean.

``Europeans want to come back to Thailand and spend wonderful holidays here in the future but this must come with better security,'' Mr Persson said.

The three prime ministers were granted an audience with His Majesty the King at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin yesterday afternoon after arriving in Bangkok.

The three Nordic leaders gave their condolences for the losses of Thai people, including His Majesty's grandson Khun Poom Jensen, and also their gratitude to Thailand for helping their nationals.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra held talks with the leaders of the three countries and asked them for help with environmental and marine rehabilitation.

The three nations experienced high casualties in the tsunami, with 52 Swedish killed and 597 missing, 12 Norwegians dead and 82 missing, and five Finns killed and 177 missing.

The three countries have sent forensic and medical teams as well as donations of medical supplies to Thailand. Sweden also provided 20 freezer containers.

The three Nordic leaders will tour tsunami-stricken areas today and inspect Wat Yanyao, where forensic and DNA test are being conducted on victims' bodies, before moving on for talks with the interior minister and governors of Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi.

The Swedish leader will also inaugurate the opening of a honorary Swedish consulate-general at Pearl Village Hotel. A similar consulate for Norway is currently in the approval process.

The Finnish premier will visit Kata beach where Finnish volunteers are helping the victims. He leaves for home from Bangkok today, as does the Norwegian premier. The Swedish leader departs from Bangkok tomorrow.

--Bangkok Post 2005-01-17

Nordic leaders thank Thais for help

BANGKOK: -- The prime ministers of Sweden, Norway and Finland yesterday expressed their gratitude not only to the Thai government but to ordinary Thais who they said had worked tirelessly and shown great compassion in helping tsunami victims from their countries.

Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson, Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Bondevik and Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen told a press conference last night that accounts from survivors and their relatives had left them deeply impressed with the kindness of ordinary Thais and the tireless way they helped the nationals of their countries.

They said the Dec 26 tragedy had bonded their countries to the Thai people and they promised to help with an early warning system in the Indian Ocean.

``Europeans want to come back to Thailand and spend wonderful holidays here in the future but this must come with better security,'' Mr Persson said.

The three prime ministers were granted an audience with His Majesty the King at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin yesterday afternoon after arriving in Bangkok.

The three Nordic leaders gave their condolences for the losses of Thai people, including His Majesty's grandson Khun Poom Jensen, and also their gratitude to Thailand for helping their nationals.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra held talks with the leaders of the three countries and asked them for help with environmental and marine rehabilitation.

The three nations experienced high casualties in the tsunami, with 52 Swedish killed and 597 missing, 12 Norwegians dead and 82 missing, and five Finns killed and 177 missing.

The three countries have sent forensic and medical teams as well as donations of medical supplies to Thailand. Sweden also provided 20 freezer containers.

The three Nordic leaders will tour tsunami-stricken areas today and inspect Wat Yanyao, where forensic and DNA test are being conducted on victims' bodies, before moving on for talks with the interior minister and governors of Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi.

The Swedish leader will also inaugurate the opening of a honorary Swedish consulate-general at Pearl Village Hotel. A similar consulate for Norway is currently in the approval process.

The Finnish premier will visit Kata beach where Finnish volunteers are helping the victims. He leaves for home from Bangkok today, as does the Norwegian premier. The Swedish leader departs from Bangkok tomorrow.

--Bangkok Post 2005-01-17

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting to note that the bangkok post does not elaborate what the swedish prime minister referred to when he required better security.