Friday, 19 December 2008

Prospective foreign minister will rebuild good relations with neighbours

MCOT English News

BANGKOK, Dec 19 (TNA) - Kasit Bhiromya, tipped to be Thailand's foreign minister in the Democrat-led coalition said on Friday he would promptly revive and strengthen Thailand's relationships with its neighbours and host the delayed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the kingdom if he becomes foreign minister.

Mr. Kasit, a former career diplomat, said he will quickly revive and strengthen diplomatic relationships with Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia.

With Cambodia in particular, Thailand will resume talks on border demarcations and common maritime interests in the Gulf of Thailand, among other matters.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was among several world leaders who had recently sent messages of congratulations and optimisms for their Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party-led coalition government, he said.

Mr. Kasit also said the ASEAN summit, earlier set to be held in Chiang Mai, would be held in Bangkok sooner than the earlier postponement until March.

Meanwhile, Mr Kasit added that convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra should return home to proceed with his corruption charges and commented that foreign governments around the globe should not allow the deposed premier to use their countries as a launchpad for criticisms of the Thai government.

Mr Thaksin has been in self-exile and was convicted of corruption charges in absentia following a military coup which ousted him from power over two years ago. (TNA)

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