BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 – Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow is set to address the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on Thailand’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights.
Fresh from his visit to Myanmar to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Mr Sihasak is set to travel to Geneva to allay concerns expressed by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) members over the detention of political figures and censorship of the media in Thailand.
The permanent secretary will assure UNHCR members that the army-run National Council for Peace and Order has loosened many of its measures to contain the political situation and is eventually set out to restore peace and democracy in the kingdom.
Mr Sihasak will also hold talks with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay to clarify Thailand’s stance on the issue. Ms Pillay earlier condemned the coup and expressed concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression.
After his visit to Switzerland, the permanent secretary will also travel to Cambodia and China in July.
