Thailand wins bid for G-77 chair !!!

 

NEW YORK - Thailand has won endorsement by the group

of 77 developing nations (G-77) to chair the 51-year-old bloc

 at the United Nations for 2016-2017 despite calls by

 international rights groups for the the country to end

 the repression of human rights and restore democratic

civilian rule.

 Bangkok was endorsed in the single candidate race because

 of its assurance that it would play a leading role in promoting

cooperation among the developing countries, Apichart

Chinwanno, who represented Thai Foreign Minister Don

 Pramudwinai at the 39th annual meeting of G-77

foreign ministers, told reporters after endorsement.

 

 "This reflects the international community's confidence and

trust in Thailand and the country is ready to serve as a

 'bridge-builder' among G-77 members, and also with other

 UN member states," he said.

 Asked whether its role in G-77 will benefit Thailand's bid for

 a seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent

 member, Mr Apichart who will be the next Foreign Ministry

 permanent secretary, said he was optimistic.

 "If we are successful in the chairman role and clearly show

the world community that we have potential to protect the

group's interests, it will definitely benefit our bid for the

 UNSC seat," he said in New York.

 

 Thailand is campaigning for a UNSC seat for the 2017-2018

term and the vote will take place in September next year at

 the 71st UN General Assembly.


Thai ambassador and permanent representative to the UN,

 Virachai Plasai, who will be G-77 chairman as a result of

his position has insisted that Thailand will not use the

 chairmanship to bolster support for the UNSC bid, but will

 use this opportunity to contribute benefits to the bloc for

 reaching development goals.

 

"We will not use the G-77 as a tool for our own interests as

 the group is a key mechanism for all countries to cooperate

 for the achievement of sustainable development,"

Mr Virachai said.

 

Thailand is one of the founding members of the G-77, which

was formed in 1964 by 77 developing countries to build their

 economic cooperation and development.

It also contributes to the progress of South-South cooperation.

 

Regarding the chance of winning the UNSC seat, international

 affairs academic Panitan Wattanayagorn from Chulalongkorn

 University said it is possible Thailand could join the UNSC

next year following the G-77 success, which he believed

 came from the country's strong determination.

 

However, maintaining internal stability at home will be the

 main factor deciding the UNSC bid. "If the country enters

another political crisis, it will surely affect the UNSC bid or

 other roles in the international community.

 

 The government has to build political stability and move

 towards democracy as several countries believe the military

regime does not want to cling to power," said Mr Panitan,

who is also adviser on security issues to Deputy Prime

Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has arrived in

New York to attend the 70th United Nations General Assembly,

deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukhondapatipak said.

 

 Arriving at One UN New York Hotel, Gen Prayut, accompanied

 by his wife, Naraporn, was welcomed by a group of Thais who

 turned up to give him moral support.

 

He later met Thai diplomats in the US, led by the Thai

ambassador to Washington Pisan Manawapat to discuss

 policy issues.

 

During the meeting, Mr Pisan told the prime minister that

Thai-US relations were improving, judging from better

bilateral cooperation at all levels which have almost returned

 to normal.

 

According to Maj Gen Werachon, Gen Prayut urged Thai

diplomats in the US to promote Thai interests and help the

government push through reforms by trying to talk to all

 sectors in the US.

 

He pointed out that several foreign governments were satisfied

 and had a better understanding about the Thai political situation.

 

On Saturday, Gen Prayut is scheduled to attend a speech by

Pope Francis at General Assembly Hall, to be followed by

 the opening of the UN assembly.

 

 In the afternoon, he will deliver a speech on "Ending  Poverty

 and Hunger" and visit an exhibition on the sufficiency economy.

 He is also scheduled to meet business leaders in the evening.

 It is reported that Gen Prayut's political supporters plan to

 a hold a rally near the UN from Saturday until Monday,

while anti-military government protesters plan to hold a

counter rally nearby.

 

News,General,Bangkok Post,26 September,2015.


Glad to hear that Thailand wins bid for G-77 chair and

 I believe we can play a leading role in promoting

 cooperation among the developing countries.

 

For the point of UNSC bid that base on human rights and

true democracy in the country,I believe the government

can lead it which cooperation among Thai people,

politicians and the parties involve.

 

Sincerely Yours.