United Nations Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon asked to Visit Thailand

 

Thailand has invited United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to make an official visit to Thailand before the Asean Summit which is scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia, in November, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Sunday.

Mr Surapong said he extended the invitation to Mr Ban when they met in New York.

During their meeting Mr Ban expressed concern over the Thai-Cambodian relations, he said.

Mr Surapong said he told Mr Ban that after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s policy statement to parliament and his subsequent visit to Cambodia, he expected the relations of the two countries would soon return to normal.

On Cambodia’s request for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to interpret its original verdict on the Preah Vihear temple case and the ICJ’s order for Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from the disputed area and allow Indonesian observers into the area, Mr Surapong said he told the UN secretary-general that both Thailand and Cambodia would follow the court’s order.

Steps to be further taken would be discussed at the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting which has yet to be scheduled, he said.

He said Mr Ban also expressed concern over His Majesty the King’s health.

On a report that Cambodia would consider exchange prisoners with Thailand and reduce jail terms for Thai convicts including Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, Mr Surapong said it might be a result of the prime minister’s visit.

However, a clear stance of Cambodia concerning this matter remained to be seen, Mr Surapong said.

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