Bangkok: The Prime Minister has ordered a review of the joint discussions with the UN, emphasizing the need for Thailand to assert its position on the global stage.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the United Nations General Assembly in the United States, highlighting the potential scheduling conflict with his policy statement before Parliament. He mentioned that he had been informed by the incoming Foreign Minister about the necessity to attend the UN meeting as Thailand's representative if he could not make it in time for the parliamentary session. The Prime Minister expressed the need to assess whether his attendance at the UN would be feasible without delivering his policy statement to Parliament and to clarify the scope of his potential statement at the assembly.
The timeline poses a challenge, as the Prime Minister is required to attend an oath-taking ceremony on September 24 and review the draft policy statement before the parliamentary discussion. This tight schedule makes it unlikely for him to attend the United Nations General Assembly on September 25-26.
Prime Minister Anutin also remarked on the importance of Thailand's participation in the meeting, especially in light of past conflicts with Cambodia. He cited a previous instance where Cambodia communicated with the US leader regarding a ceasefire agreement, emphasizing Thailand's need to explain its position in such international matters.
In response to questions about the possibility of attending the UN assembly independently, Mr. Anutin acknowledged the potential but stressed the importance of being able to fully represent Thailand. He mentioned the need for thorough preparation, stating, "I must be armed and have the means to negotiate political matters," to ensure effective representation at the global forum.