Bilateral ties: Thailand 'assessing' Singapore gestures

The Straits Times, February 14, 2007


BANGKOK - THE Thai government is assessing Singapore's latest gestures following ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to the Republic, Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said yesterday.

'We are assessing the situation but we welcome Yeo's comments which signalled they want to amend the relationship,' he said, while noting that bilateral ties 'have still been active at a certain level'.

The minister was speaking in a TV broadcast yesterday. The Nation's website, which carried a report on his comments, said Mr Nitya was referring to Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo's comments about a week ago that Singapore is confident ties will 'get back on track' as the ties are 'deeply rooted'.

Speaking in Singapore's Parliament on Monday, Mr Yeo had repeated those sentiments.

Ties between the two countries hit a rocky patch in recent months, especially after Mr Thaksin made a private visit to Singapore.

Mr Thaksin has not returned to Thailand since the coup, staying first in London and now hopping around Asia. He is currently in Sydney where he says he plans to buy a house.