On the first day of the informal Apec ministerial meeting, Thai ministers took the opportunity to explain recent developments in Thailand to their counterparts.

Nitya, for instance, held a bilateral meeting with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, during which he told Peters the coup had been bloodless and well supported by the public.

The New Zealand government harshly criticised the coup. Wellington had concerns about the situation in Thailand and wanted to see a democratic election staged promptly.

Nitya said he told Peters the interim government was working on a balanced democratic system and moving towards an election late next year.

Sources said that Peters responded: "Time will tell."

Nitya said he used the opportunity to explain the situation in Thailand to Apec members. "Thailand has already received sympathy from some," he said. However, the minister said he would have to explain developments to some Apec members who do not fully understand.

Asked in the meeting if the continued imposition of martial law would have any impact, Nitya said all economic indicators were still positive and people were still doing business as usual.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is due to arrive in Hanoi shortly to explain the situation to Apec business leaders himself. Surayud will deliver a speech at the Apec CEO Summit tomorrow.

His speech, titled "Reform and Foreign Direct Investment: A View from Thailand", is likely to include an explanation of developments in the Kingdom to foreign business leaders.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet told Apec members of the necessity to implement Sufficiency Economy principles. He said Thailand would continue to embrace globalisation but cautiously and with prudence.

Krirk-krai said he told Apec ministers the sufficiency economy was not a closed economic policy but a remedy for domestic problems caused by over-spending and the implementing of policies for short-term political gain, which had eroded long-term strengths. Artificially high prices had been paid for farm goods and some people had achieved unfair business advantages because of their business and political power.

Nitya is scheduled to meet officials from Australia, Russia and Japan. He will also attend an agreement ceremony with South Korea on the elimination of double taxation.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has yet to schedule any bilateral meetings at present.

Jeerawat Na Thalang

The Nation

Hanoi