Singapore keeping a close watch
Singapore was closely monitoring the Constitution Tribunal case on whether to dissolve Thailand's two largest political parties, Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said on Monday.
"They are closely following the event on 30th May as it is an important event in Thailand," said Nitya, after having a bilateral meeting with his Singaporean counterpart George Yeo on the sidelines at the 8th Asem Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hamburg, which ends today. Singapore was also following political developments in Thailand closely, particularly in the strife-torn deep South. Nitya said he assured his counterpart the current government would exercise only peaceful and patient methods to try to restore peace in the region. The two also discussed the development of the Asean Charter, which is scheduled to be finalised at the upcoming Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in the Philippines in July. Nitya also had bilateral meetings with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Portugal, Manuel Lobo Antunes, and Foreign Minister of Hungary Kinga Goncz, on the same day. Both were briefed about political developments in Thailand before and after the military coup last September. Nitya said the Portuguese official expressed a better understanding of the situation after the brief, which was significant, given that Portugal will hold the EU presidency in the latter half of this year. The EU gave a tough response to the coup last year. Led by Finland, it issued two statements that voiced dissatisfaction over the political situation in Thailand and urged the military appointed government to lift martial law and hold a general election as soon as possible. Nitya also raised concern over the EU possibly levying higher import tariffs on Thai sweet corn. He asked the Hungarian minister to consider the adverse effect that such moves would have on Thai producers. Sopaporn Kurz The Nation Hamburg, Germany
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