Thailand lobbies for position on UN Security Council

[Lite Beer]

Thailand lobbies for position on UN Security Council
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will on Monday host a reception in New York to officially inform the international community that it intends applying for the position of non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The Thai delegation to the UN General Assembly and the permanent representative to the UN are currently spending a great deal of time meeting counterparts from many countries to tell them of Thailand's intention and to ask for their support.

"Every country, big or small, has one vote, so we have to meet as many as possible, especially those countries with whom we have little or no relations," the Foreign Ministry's Permanent Secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.

Thailand will apply for the position on the UNSC in 2017-2018. The country has served the body once in a similar role over a two-year term in 1985-86. The theme this time is to act as a bridge for developed and developing members in achieving peace and development.

"Thailand has proposed clear platforms in its campaign for the position in the UNSC this time," Sihasak said.

"We have the kind of diplomacy that could help bring about stances for the mutual benefit of all. I think we have ability to build consensus around many disputed issues," he said.

Thailand has contributed to UN affairs consistently and continuously. Its peace-keeping forces have joined UN blue beret contingents in many conflict-stricken areas.

Security in the modern world is not only state security and conflicts are not only among nations. Emerging conflicts are sometimes between state and civic groups, Sihasak pointed out.

"The UNSC has to consider conflict and security in its new dimensions as well as the link between security and development," he said. "Post-conflict resolution and lasting peace restoration are based on development work," he said.

The foreign ministry has mapped out a strategy for its campaign in according to geographic interests. Pacific islands states, Africa and Latin America are a priority.

"Strategically, we don't approach UN members merely to ask them to vote for us but tell them what we can do for them as regards security and development concerns as well as UN development agendas," Sihasak said.

Countries would be approached both bilaterally and multilaterally, he said. Many forums such as the Africa Institute and Forum For East Asia Latin America Coperation (Fealac) of which Thailand is the coordinator, would be utilised.

The Asean, of which Thailand is a member, would not only be asked for support but should help Thailand to seek support from countries outside the group, he said. Thailand is the Asean's candidate, so all members should help, he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul would also be asking for support from their counterparts.

-- The Nation 2013-09-25

[Thai at Heart]

They are not my father, wasn't it?

[Mosha]

They are not my father, wasn't it?

[Chittychangchang]

Thailand has proposed clear platforms in its campaign for the position in the UNSC this time

intends applying for the position of non-permanent member

Every country, big or small, has one vote

Just to clarify

CCC

Edited September 25, 2013 by Chittychangchang

[jalansanitwong]

Thai troops have served with the UN but did the Thai gov foot the bill... i think not. Theyre not going to tip in money The farang countries cover most of the expenses. Thais are window dressing.

The Thais just want a free lunch and trips to the Big Apple.

They dont even bother turning up to parliamentry sessions here in Bangkok. Why would the UN chamber be any different?

[GentlemanJim]

They might have been taken more seriously had Yingluck realised that attendance at the 68 UN Assembly was the most important trip on her list this year....... And she didnt go she sent the FM, the guy that should have been doing all the other trips.

[bigbamboo]

They might have been taken more seriously had Yingluck realised that attendance at the 68 UN Assembly was the most important trip on her list this year....... And she didnt go she sent the FM, the guy that should have been doing all the other trips.

Exactly. It's extraordinary that she can spare the time to visit Passports-R-Us (aka Montenegro) but she isn't going to the one place she should visit...... the UN.... especially if Thailand is serious about applying to be a non permanent member of the Security Council.

[jaltsc]

"The country has served the body once in a similar role over a two-year term in 1985-86."

Do you think there might be a good reason why they haven't been asked to serve in a similar capacity for over 25 years?

And, being able to shop at Bloomingdale's and Tiffany's on the government's dime are not good reasons for admission to the Security Council.

[thhMan]

Diplomacy starts at home.

Try giving those nations you are trying to lobby, the same decency and allow their citizens to become part of Thailand with all the given rights that those countries give Thais that choose to live there.

Being part of the International scene should require some giving and not just taking all the time

[Spare]

Thailand can't even protect the Thai Muslim in the south from harassment by the Malaysian Muslim.

[Dr Robert]

They have chances to get on the security council: fat and none

[supaprik]

DAMN that headline....I choked on my protein shake!

[yooper2001]

This is only to save face. Thailand wants to look important to the world and want to pretend to be a world power. Thailand wants to have steak but on a hotdog budget

[Card]

"We have the kind of diplomacy that could help bring about stances for the mutual benefit of all. I think we have ability to build consensus around many disputed issues," he said.

Start with the south, move on to the red shirts and then finish with corruption.

[Businessman]

I assume the that respecting human rights and rule of local and international law is not a requirement to join the UNSC.

[tomross46]

How does the Dynasty get from this? Will Big Brother receive diplomatic immunity by the UN?

[khaowong1]

[Torrens54]

Of course Thailand ought to be a member of the U.N. Security Council.

Just look at how Secure Thailand is in the South of the country. It will bring a lot of Experience to the table!

[LuckyLew]

They are having a laugh

IF Thailand seeks this they will be laughed out of the room

Thailand "We would like a seat on the security council"

UN Panel "If you think the UN is so important ... why is your PM not at the UN general assembly"

UN Panel "request denied" .............. no soup for you

[nong38]

More foreign trips in the offing then.

[ggold]

I wonder how much they are offering for each vote?

[baboon]

Why not just point out ghosts are reputed to haunt the chamber? If they withdraw, fair enough. If they continue with their bid, ask them why they terrify their compatriots with this nonsense and whether they will continue to do so on the world stage when other nations may have a bit of a problem with starvation and genocide, to name but two issues actually plaguing the world..

[Baerboxer]

I wonder how much they are offering for each vote?

500 baht

[noitom]

Preposterous notion - Thailand joining the National Security Council of the UN. Just think about how many breaches of security occur in Thailand. Think about a dozen years and currently unresolved terrorist insurgency in Thailand with over 6,000 deaths, daily bombings, and 12,000 injured. Now the good old boys from Thailand want a seat on the security council.

[wellred]

They should be allowed on and then put under the spotlight for what happens inside the country. Hitler fried chicken comes to mind.

[klubex99]

Thai troops have served with the UN but did the Thai gov foot the bill... i think not. Theyre not going to tip in money The farang countries cover most of the expenses. Thais are window dressing.

The Thais just want a free lunch and trips to the Big Apple.

They dont even bother turning up to parliamentry sessions here in Bangkok. Why would the UN chamber be any different?

Absolutely 100% correct.

They are jockying for nothing more than regular shopping trips to the US, with everything paid for, first class and 5 star all the way, and a nice expense account to boot... and all paid for by the tax payer.

[yoshiwara]

A few overseas trips for some necessary lobbying, no?

[rickirs]

I think Pakistan currently represents the Asis-Pacific Group so I don't think Thailand would be any less qualified as a non-permanent member. But Thailand would have strong competition from countries like India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philipines and Australia if they wanted nomination. Bangladesh and Mynamar might make interesting nominees. If consensus building is key to selection, Thailand would seem somewhat alienated.

[metisdead]

Posts using derogatory nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names will be removed. If you don’t want your post to be removed, spell people’s names correctly.

[rotary]

The UN is a waste of time and money. they must be crazy messing with the UN.