FM tells Thai envoys to boost relations with neighbors

BANGKOK, February 7 (TNA) - Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has told Thai ambassadors and consuls-general to boost relations and cooperation with neighboring countries. Surapong briefed the policy, as well as others, to Thai ambassadors and consuls-generals to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia at a workshop organized in Bangkok Tuesday. The other policies include attempts to promote solutions to border problems with neighboring countries. Surapong acknowledged that Thailand has been improving relations with the neighboring countries, including the promotion of border trade with Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia, saying that Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has also asked leaders of the neighboring countries to upgrade and expand their border passes and checkpoints to facilitate transportation across the borders with Thailand. According to the foreign minister, Thailand wants to open special economic zones in Mae Sot District of the northwestern Tak Province, as well as in Takbai, Sungai Kolok and Waeng Districts of the southernmost Narathiwat Province to better connect with Malaysia's northern Kelantan State and also wants to promote cargo distribution centers to improve links between Thailand and neighboring countries, as part of national preparations for the establishment of a single community of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2015. The foreign minister told journalists that he also told the top Thai envoys to assist Thai nationals in their respective areas and to inform them that the Thai Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Thai people living overseas to apply for their identity or ID cards and have their ID cards extended overseas without having to return to Thailand. The foreign minister conceded, however, that there has not been progress in the Thai government's attempts to assist two Thai activists detained in Cambodia, Veera Somkhwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaibul, noting that he has learned they will have to first serve one-third of their jail terms. (TNA)