New FM delivers strong UN speech

Sihasak highlights victims, urges dialogue, writes Jutamas Tadthiemrom

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Sihasak: Calls for 'path of peace'

A head of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, Sept 23-29, newly instated Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangket-keow faced criticism that his appearance there might violate the constitution, which stipulates that cabinet ministers can only assume their duties after the government policy statement is made before parliament.

But as Mr Sihasak took to the rostrum at the UN headquarters in front of international delegates, his welcome speech reflected his years as a Thai diplomat.

"Thailand made the humanitarian decision to open up our borders in the late 1970s for hundreds of thousands of Cambodians fleeing the civil war in their country to seek shelter in Thailand," Mr Sihasak said.