Thailand signs global pact

Thailand has signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, a source at the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

The source said authorities were preparing draft laws needed to facilitate full compliance with the convention.

"The draft laws will have to be legislated before Thailand ratifies the convention," the source said.

According to the source, the human-rights instrument will take effect in Thailand after ratification. However, by signing the convention, Thailand has demonstrated a political will to comply with it, the source said.

This convention is one of nine international conventions relating to human rights. To date, Thailand has ratified seven of them.