HANOI, June 5 — Thailand expects Vietnam and other fellow member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold a positive view and understand the overall situation in this country after the military seized power in the May 22 bloodless coup, according to a senior Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairsr official.
Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, now on a two-day official visit to Vietnam, met Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh Thursday.
He said it was necessary for him to make Vietnam, Thailand’s close neighbour, better understand the situation in Thailand and why the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had to seize administrative power.
He said the council has now taken three clear steps to achieve reconciliation and toward a general election and it is hoped that the world community will understand Thailand.
Mr Sihasak earlier visited Singapore and Myanmar, also members of ASEAN.
He said Foreign Affairs Ministry officials plan to visit other ASEAN members and then Japan, China and Australia later to brief officials of those countries of Thailand’s situation.
Mr Sihasak said he also plans to meet foreign journalists based in Thailand to clear their doubts so that they could accurately report on situation in this country.
Touching on countries which have decided to suspend cooperation or cut their financial assistance to the kingdom after the coup, Mr Sihasak said that it was their own decision but it would be better for them to look for long-term benefits.
Detention of some figures was carried out under an international convention and in accordance with human rights principles and for peace.
They were not detained longer than seven days as limited by law, he said, adding that he hoped that foreign countries would understand.
