UN chief backs Thailand's move on Rohingyas' solutions

BANGKOK, May 18 (TNA) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his support for Thailand's host of a meeting of 15 countries late this month to discuss solutions to Rohingya-related problems. Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists on Monday that the UN chief phoned Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha on May 17 to discuss Rohingya-related problems and praise Thailand’s initiative to organize the international meeting on the irregular migration in the Indian Ocean on May 29. The spokesman said the UN chief also lauded Thailand's appropriate treatment of the rising number of Rohingya migrants, taking the principles of human dignity and basic rights into account and practice. According to the spokesman, the prime minister informed the UN secretary-general that his government is aware of the significance of the issues and needs cooperation from all concerned countries and organizations, especially UN, to help solve the problems. Besides, the prime minister asked UN to attach importance to solutions to people's poverty and emphasize basic development to improve their quality of life, expressing his hope that the underpriviledged people could live while having their basic rights. The spokesman stated the Thai prime minister expects that the May 29 meeting should be an international platform for active exchange of opinions, leading to constructive solutions. The spokesman quoted the Thai premier as acknowledging that the upcoming international forum will also show unity of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a joint responsibility for humanity. The UN secretary-general, meanwhile, promised to support the forthcoming international meeting and the Thai prime minister’s request for UN to convince concerned countries to prevent any action and consequence relating to illegal Rohingya immigration. (TNA)