Thailand, 2011

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.