Published on September 06, 2005

HM the King sends condolences to President Bush. His Majesty the King has sent a message of condolence to US President George W Bush acknowledging the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, which killed thousands of people and left many homeless and desperate for help in the southern Gulf states.

“I wish to convey profound sadness and extend our deep sympathies and heartfelt condolences to you and to the American people, who have suffered grievous losses from Hurricane Katrina,” said the message released by HM the King’s principal private secretary.

HM the King also offered

to send rice from royal projects

to help survivors from the worst hurricane ever to hit the US.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other key government figures also sent messages to their American counterparts and said they planned to send 100 doctors and nurses to help victims of the disaster.

“We are collaborating with the Defence Ministry and Public Health Ministry to work on increasing the number of medical teams,” said Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon

He added that the current plan is to have the doctors and nurses fly to the US with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is scheduled to leave later this week for a working visit with President Bush and to attend the UN General Assembly from September 12 to 20.

The dispatch of medical teams was Thailand’s idea and the US had “gratefully accepted this gracious offer,” Kanthati said, quoting the US State Department.

Members of Thailand’s private sector have also agreed to send blankets and food provisions including canned tuna.

Sopaporn Saeung

The Nation

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