"The Thai government has been under too much pressure on the image issue. Don't feel too pressured about image. There are people writing [negative things] about Thailand because they want Thailand to look bad. The government has to be patient. They have to work hard and explain," Supachai, formerly head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), told reporters at the Nai Lert Park Hotel in Bangkok.

He was speaking ahead of a meeting on sufficiency economy organised at the hotel by the National Legislative Assembly's Finance, Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.

Politicians like Suwat Liptapanlop, Sanan Kachornprasart, Pongsak Ruktapongpisal and Preecha Laohapongchana were also present.

Supachai said he was willing to help the government explain its actions to foreigners. For instance, he would help to explain the decision to enforce compulsory licensing of HIV medication, which is allowed by the WTO, he said.

Supachai said UNCTAD would organise a meeting for Asian countries to discuss ways to curb currency fluctuation. While global trade is appropriately governed by international trade rules, no such rules exist to govern foreignexchange trade, exposing currencies to pressure, such as from hedge funds, he said.

Speaking after a courtesy call on Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont earlier yesterday, Supachai said the Thai government should not be too concerned with the country's image in the eyes of foreigners.

"I have met many foreigners, and they understand the situation in Thailand. We have to fight back by explaining our situation. It's an information war."

He said the decline in foreign investment was not an image issue, but rather because of fierce competition from neighbouring countries like Vietnam.

"We should instead use this opportunity to reevaluate the new generation of investment," he said.

Supachai, a former Democrat MP, likened his scheduled meeting with Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva today to a meeting of old colleagues.

Asked if he was interested in returning to politics following rumours that he had been invited to head a political party, he said, "I don't have a political agenda at the moment."

"I will be where I can be useful," he told reporters, adding that he had put a lot of energy into restructuring UNCTAD, where his term ends in 2009, and that the work was still in progress.

He said Thailand needed a stable political situation to develop its economy.

"Not just general elections, but institutions to support democracy should be strong as well to ensure fair elections and fair execution of political rules and regulations. These organisations should be free from political intervention to ensure a solid foundation for Thai economy," he said, adding that Thai democracy should be a process in which the people could participate.

Supachai said His Majesty the King's sufficiency economy concept should help promote Thailand's immunity to external pressures, and he was encouraging other developing countries to adopt the concept for the same reason.

He said time for the idea was right since the savings ratio of private sector had dropped drastically while household debt had risen over the past few years.

by Jeerawat Na Thalang

The Nation