Thai DPM meets UN chief

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES, January 21 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn has met United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York and stressed on Bangkok's readiness to cooperate with the UN on international stages. General Tanasak met the UN chief on January 20 (local time), during which he expressed gratitude towards the UN for its recent message to remember tsunami victims in Thailand and other countries along the Indian Ocean on the occasion of the 10 anniversary of the tragic disaster on December 26, 2014. General Tanasak also took the opportunity to explain Thailand's political developments under the reform roadmap of the interim government of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha and the drafting of the country's new Constitution, which will lead to a new general election in the near future. Talks of both sides also include global impacts of climate change and communicable diseases, while the deputy premier also confirmed Thailand's active cooperation with the UN. Besides, both sides exchanged views on the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda, especially on the necessity of balance among political, economic, social and environmental affairs. On the occasion, the UN secretary-general invited Thai Prime Minister General Prayut to attend the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York late this year. (TNA)