On behalf of
the delegation of the Kingdom of Thailand, allow me
to extend to you, Sir, our warmest congratulations on
your election as President of the General Assembly at
its sixty-sixth session. It is a personal honour for me to
speak for the first time before this gathering of the
world’s nations. Please be assured of my delegation’s
full support and cooperation in the conduct of the work
of this body.
The year 2011 has already become a monumental
year in modern history. The call for reforms in the
Middle East and North Africa has led to unprecedented
transitions and popular uprisings. The so-called Arab
Spring underscores the significance of people’s
legitimate aspirations and the need to respond
adequately to them. In this age of globalization,
information, ideas and values flow beyond borders.
For Thailand, after experiencing some political
unrest, the country has taken another step forward in its
democratic process. The general elections held on
3 July this year went smoothly, which is a testament to
the resilience of Thai democracy. The new Government
has been successfully formed, with a solid mandate
from the people. Indeed, the voter turnout was the
highest in Thailand’s electoral history. The
Administration of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
is now working resolutely to deliver on the promises it
made during the election campaign. In implementing
people-centred policies, it seeks to establish a strong,
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equitable and sustainable economic infrastructure in
the country. More importantly, the Government is
determined to promote reconciliation and uphold the
rule of law to serve as a basis for harmony and unity
within the country.
As far as our foreign relations are concerned, the
Government will further enhance relations with
neighbouring countries and our friends outside the
region. Special emphasis is placed on promoting trust,
confidence and mutual respect, which is particularly
important as we prepare for the realization of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations Community in
2015. We will also strengthen international cooperation
at all forums and levels, particularly with the United
Nations.
Thailand seeks to play a responsible and
constructive role in the current international order.
Thailand is convinced that the three pillars of the
United Nations - peace and security, development and
human rights - are all interconnected and mutually
reinforcing. They are issues that need to be addressed
comprehensively in order to achieve the ultimate goal
of human security for our peoples. They are also issues
that Thailand will emphasize in its cooperation with
the United Nations.
In terms of peace and security, Thailand believes
that this year’s theme for the General Assembly’s
general debate, as proposed by you, Mr. President, is
very timely. Mediation is a crucial tool for helping to
resolve disputes peacefully. The recent birth of the
Republic of South Sudan and its swift admission to the
United Nations are clear testaments to the constructive
role of Mediterranean and the continued engagement of
the United Nations in conflict resolution. Thailand
welcomes the Republic of South Sudan into the global
community, and wishes to forge bilateral relations and
a partnership for development with this new State.
Thailand is convinced that the peaceful resolution
of conflicts is the most desirable and cost-effective
approach in terms of both human lives and financial
expense. For that reason, political will remains a key
ingredient without which such an approach cannot be
successful.
Wishing to do our part, Thailand has actively
supported the comprehensive peace operations and
peacekeeping missions of the United Nations in more
than 20 locations around the world. We are currently
deploying an infantry battalion with the African Union-
United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. We have
also sent police and military officers to the United
Nations peacekeeping missions in Timor-Leste and
Haiti, and we are about to deploy military officers to a
United Nations operation in Kashmir. In addition, since
autumn 2010 Thailand has sent two counter-piracy task
groups to join international efforts to patrol and protect
ships from pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden area.
These are just a few examples of our effort to play a
meaningful role in maintaining international peace and
security.
If international stability is one of our primary
goals, Thailand firmly believes that a key foundation
for lasting peace is sustainable development.
Sustainable development is an essential tool for
eradicating poverty and inequality, which are root
causes of insecurity. As the guiding principle of our
social and economic policy, Thailand has long taken a
people-centred approach and adheres to the
sufficiency-economy philosophy of His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, which focuses on living in
moderation and striking a balance between economic
growth and the sustainable management of natural
resources.
Our Government is also working resolutely to
ensure, among other things, equal opportunity for all,
free primary and secondary education, and universal
health care coverage. Although we have achieved most
of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead
of schedule, we are resolutely pursuing the MDG Plus
targets. In the greater scheme of things, we are
determined that no one in Thai society should be left
behind.
In order for sustainable development to be
realized, cooperation among all sectors of society and
partnerships with the international community are
essential. Thailand has been active in promoting
partnerships between developed and developing
countries, and stands ready to serve as a bridge
between both groups through triangular cooperation. At
the same time, we will continue to strengthen South-
South cooperation with our fellow developing
countries, including those in the Non-Aligned
Movement and the Group of 77 and China.
Thailand has also assumed a more creative and
proactive role in cooperation with the international
community in various development areas. Over the
years, relations between the United Nations and
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Thailand have evolved from a traditional donor-
recipient relationship to one of partners in
development.
Neither development nor peace and security can
be sustainable if respect for human rights lags behind.
Thailand firmly believes that human rights represent
truly universal values. Respect for them must be a
fundamental principle in every society. For Thailand,
human rights issues are at the core of our domestic and
foreign policy agendas. In terms of foreign policy,
Thailand has striven to play a constructive role at the
regional and international levels, especially through
our membership of the Human Rights Council. During
our presidency of the Council, Thailand was proud to
direct the crucial task of reviewing its methods of work
and operations in order to make it more relevant and
credible. This was particularly important when it came
to responding to urgent human rights situations in a
more timely and effective manner.
Every Government must find its own solutions
and move at its own pace in a manner appropriate to its
specific context and conditions. Meanwhile, it is
incumbent on the international community to support
and promote constructive dialogue and engagement
with countries of concern, while respecting their
sovereignty, territorial integrity and the will of the
people. Such support and dialogue should aim at
strengthening States’ capacity to meet their human
rights obligations. Here it is important, in Thailand’s
view, to find common ground on the value of technical
cooperation in enhancing human rights. We have been
holding consultations on an initiative to enhance the
efficiency of the Human Rights Council in providing
technical cooperation to countries in need. Thailand
hopes that this initiative will receive the broad-based
support of countries from all regions in the Council.
With our genuine commitment to the promotion
and protection of human rights, Thailand is determined
to continue playing a constructive role in the Council.
In that regard, we will proudly stand for election once
again for the 2015-2017 term. As Thailand continues to
enhance its participation as a member of the Human
Rights Council, we are determined to further contribute
to human rights work and to strengthen the rights of
vulnerable groups, both at home and abroad. We attach
special importance to such groups, be they children,
women, people with disabilities or the elderly.
One notable example is in the area of women’s
rights. In December 2010, the General Assembly
adopted the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of
Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for
Women Offenders, or the Bangkok Rules (resolution
65/229), based on an initiative of Her Royal Highness
Princess Bajrakitiyabha. The Rules aim to enhance the
human rights of female prisoners in criminal justice
systems by fully recognizing gender sensitivity and the
specific needs of women. Thailand is committed to
promoting the implementation of the Bangkok Rules
worldwide and looks forward to continuing to work
closely with all relevant stakeholders. Moreover, the
recent election of the country’s first female Prime
Minister confirms that Thai society is open to women
and that we continue to promote gender equality and
the empowerment of women.
It should be evident from all I have said that the
United Nations is a cornerstone of Thailand’s foreign
policy, and that Thailand has been an active player in
all three pillars of the United Nations. Peace and
security, development and human rights are truly
inseparable and should be strengthened simultaneously.
Given our past experience and continued contributions
to all three, especially the maintenance of international
peace and security, Thailand has presented its
candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security
Council for the 2017-2018 term. We seek the support
of our friends in the United Nations in this regard. We
are convinced that such a position would enable us to
fulfil our commitment to work closely and
constructively with all Members of the United Nations.
Let us rise to the challenge together.