The Foreign Affairs Ministry would provide an explanation of the extradition case involving alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout to help Russia better understand the outcome, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.
Abhisit made the comments in response to a question from reporters on whether the Court of Appeal's decision to extradite Bout to the United States would upset relations with Russia.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal overturned a lower court verdict, which rejected a US request for extradition. Last week's ruling upset Moscow, which summoned Thai ambassador Chalermpol Thanchitt to voice its disappointment.
The Thai government insists the case was dealt with on its merit - based on facts and laws.
Abhisit said his administration had not sought to influence the outcome. "This is not a political issue," he said.
Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, said the Foreign Affairs Ministry had already explained the case to Russian officials.
"We have already guaranteed that Thailand's judicial process is transparent and free from political interference," he said.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit urged Abhisit to adopt an appropriate stance on the Bout case to maintain good ties with both the US and Russia.
Pheu Thai had monitored the case for a long time and suspected political pressure had come into play.