Thai govt downplay Singapore statesman's criticism on Thai politic
Thai government have downplayed former Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's criticism of Thai politics in an article in Forbes magazine.
Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said what Lee wanted to point out in the article is that compromising is an alternative to end the country's political conflict.
He said that he has assigned the Thai Embassy in Singapore to follow up on this matter and inform the Singaporean leader the complexity of Thailand's political situation.
Lee wrote an article comparing and analyzing Thailand political situation with Iraq's. He said that authorities have to implement this subject carefully as he fears that it may affect the bilateral relationship of both countries.
Meanwhile Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana on Thursday seemed to shrug off criticism by Singapore's former premier, saying that Thailand knew well and were well aware of how to deal with the current political and economic situation.
Preecha said he disagreed Singapore senior statesman. He chose to differ, and pointed out that Thailand's economic and political systems are clearly separated.
However, he conceded that the current political uncertainties had affected, "to some extent," confidence among both local and foreign entrepreneurs.
To restore that confidence, the caretaker government had closely monitored the trade and investment climate and tried to give entrepreneurs a proper understanding of the situation.
In addition Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and many cabinet members had gone "on the road" to explain Thai economic conditions to foreign investors.
He believed that Thailand's political and uncertainties would ease once the general election is held and a new government is formed. The foreign investors would then return to invest in the kingdom again.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/30/headlines/headlines_30007694.php