Thai DPM attends OECD Forum in Paris

PARIS, May 5 (TNA) - Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul says he will use the forum of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to inform the international community that Thailand remains committed to democracy. Surapong made the remark to reporters upon his arrival to Paris, the venue of the OECD Forum. It was his first international meeting after the House dissolution in December 2013. Surapong said he intended to inform the forum that Thailand is ready to organize a fresh general election, whose date has been set on July 20. He said he would also inform the forum that political conflicts in Thailand were solvable. The two-day forum was set to begin on Monday and Surapong was among representatives from four OECD member countries, who were invited to deliver a speech in the forum. According to the caretaker deputy premier, representatives of 34 OECD member countries would participate in the forum. They attached importance to developing ties with the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Surapong said his speech would help restore international community’s confidence in Thailand and make them understand that Thailand was not holding back the formation of the ASEAN Community in late 2015. (TNA)