BANGKOK, 3 December 2013 The Foreign Ministry has assured foreign ambassadors of the government’s patience with the anti-government demonstrators as several countries have offered to be an intermediary.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has summoned a meeting with ambassadors and representatives from 60 countries and 8 international organizations, during which he explained the situation to them and affirmed that the government would be patient with the demonstrators in order to prevent possible violence.
As of now, 10 countries have expressed their concerns over the current political conflict in Thailand, he added.
According to the minister, Switzerland, England, USA, and China have currently expressed their willingness to act as a mediator to help settle the conflict, as they all want to see peace restored in this country. The government is open to all suggestions and is willing to consider proposals from those countries, Minister Surapong said.
The minister also played down rumors that officers have been using life bullets against demonstrators, saying it was a distortion of facts as the government would never hurt the people. He also voiced his concerns to the ambassadors over possible interference from a third party.
Minister Surapong has recently been assigned by the Thai Premier, Yingluck Shinawatra, to oversee the operation of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO).
