UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon To Visit Thailand On Oct 26

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UN chief to visit on Oct 26

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The UN secretary-general will visit Thailand in two weeks to discuss Bangkok's role in regional security cooperation, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Speaking during his weekly TV program, Abhisit said he extended the invitation to Ban Ki-moon to visit Thailand when he met the UN chief in Brussels during the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting.

The UN chief is scheduled to attend the UN-Asean summit in Hanoi at the end of the month so he will stop by in Bangkok on October 26, Abhisit said.

He said Ban Ki-moon had high expectations for Thailand's role in contributing to regional security and during their talk in Brussels the UN chief pledged full cooperation for Thailand playing such a role.

Speaking to reporters after he went on air, Abhisit said the UN chief agreed to make an official visit to Thailand because he understood the situation in Thailand very well.

Abhisit said Ban Ki-moon expressed support for the Thai government's efforts to end the political divide.

However, Ban Ki-moon would not discuss Thai political problems during the visit - he would focus on Thailand's role in regional affairs.

Abhisit said he invited the UN chief to visit Thailand because he wanted to inform Ban Ki-moon of Thailand's role in the region.

The UN chief is also interested in Thailand's relations with neighbouring countries and in the migration of workers from neighbouring countries and their illegal entry into Thailand as the issues involved several UN agencies.

Speaking on TV, Abhisit said he had a chance to hold bilateral talks with several leaders during the Asem meeting in Europe. For example, he held bilateral talks with the German, Estonian, Slovenian and Cambodian prime ministers.

Abhisit said he also had unofficial talks with other country leaders and all extended moral support for the Thai people and were happy to see Thailand gaining stability.

Abhisit said foreign leaders told him they would like to see continued stability because of the country's economic prospects and its potential to play an international role on social and political issues.

The PM said all leaders expressed an understanding about the situation in Thailand and were keen to see problems solved in line with democratic principles.

"My visit to the Asem meeting was a good chance to reach understanding with foreign media and foreign leaders," Abhisit said during his show.

He said several foreign media outlets interviewed him and put on special reports about Thailand.

-- The Nation 2010-10-11