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| Following the dissolution
of Parliament on 24 February 2006 and the holding
of national elections on 2 April, the Thai Rak Thai
Party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won an
overall majority.
However, due to problems facing the electoral
process, the Constitution Court made a ruling
on 8th May that general elections should be held
again within the coming months. The Cabinet has
resolved to the proposal by the National Election
Commission for the polling day to be held on 15
October 2006.
The official announcement of the election outcome
is expected to be made within 30 days after the
polling day.
After the official outcome is announced, the
House of Representatives will meet to elect the
new Prime Minister, which can be expected to take
place in mid November. The new Prime Minister
will then form the new cabinet and have his new
cabinet sworn in before His Majesty the King.
According to the Thai Constitution, the present
cabinet shall remain in office until the new cabinet
is sworn in.
Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai remains Deputy Prime
Minister and Acting Minister of Culture until
the new cabinet is formed and sworn in.
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| Dr.
Surakiart’s participation in the second Petra
Conference, Jordan, June 2006. |
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Upon the invitation of
His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Hussein of Jordan,
Dr. Surakiart participated in the second gathering
of Nobel Laureates in Petra on 21-22 June 2006.
Dr. Surakiart chaired the Working Group on Poverty
and Economic Empowerment, whilst Professor Sachs
served as a resource person. The Working Group was
honoured by the presence of His Majesty the King,
and attended by over 30 distinguished participants
including 6 Nobel Laureates such as Deputy Prime
Minister Shimon Peres. |
| Dr. Surakiart
presented the outcome of his Working Group to the
Plenary Meeting, in which he highlighted the general
convergence of views on various approaches to pursuing
the path of long-term development and poverty eradication.
They agreed on the principles of self-help and partnership,
and had a lively discussion on how economic cooperation
and confidence building could contribute to regional
peace. They emphasized that the Millennium Development
Goals were achievable if supported by vigorous science,
practical approaches and good governance. The Working
Group recommended the establishment of a Laureate
Commission for Sustainable as initiated by the King
of Jordan to serve as a vehicle to promote the implementation
of the MDGs. Dr. Surakiart expressed his intentions
to work closely with Professor Elie Wiesel and Professor
Jeffrey Sachs to concretize the recommendations. |
| Historic
Breakfast Meeting in Petra. |
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On 22 June, Dr. Surakiart
participated in the historic breakfast meeting hosted
by the King of Jordan with the Prime Minister of
Israel and the President of the Palestinian Authority.
He highlighted the points discussed in his Working
Session, and presented his perspectives on Southeast
Asia’s experience in peace building, particularly
on the various approaches for confidence building
measures as a parallel track to peace talks. The
breakfast meeting was regarded as a historic breakthrough
for Israeli-Palestine dialogue, and has paved the
way for a Summit meeting. |
| Dr.
Surakiart’s Official Visit to Jordan, June
2006 Dr. Surakiart had an audience of
His Majesty the King. They discussed areas of
strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly
in the cultural field. They also exchanged views
on regional and international developments, including
practical approaches in promoting dialogue on
cultural diversity.
Dr. Surakiart signed an Agreement on Cultural
Cooperation with the Jordanian Cultural Minister
and had an extensive discussion on the activities
to be organized in enhancing people-to-people
contacts.
Dr. Surakiart also met with Her majesty the Queen
of Jordan as well as a wide range of Jordanian
dignitaries, including HRH Prince Ali, the Foreign
Minister, and the President of the King Abdullah
Foundation.
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Visit
of 25 Reigning Monarchs and Representatives of
Monarchs to Thailand Upon the Occasion of the
60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s
Accession to the Throne.
Upon the auspicious occasion of the 60th Anniversary
Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession
to the Throne, Dr. Surakiart was tasked to oversee
arrangements for the visit of 25 Reigning Monarchs
and Representatives of Monarchs upon their visit
to Thailand.
Out of the 25 Kingdoms, 12 Reigning Monarchs
joined the celebrations
in person. They were His Majesty Preach Bat Samdech
Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia;
His Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar;
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
of Kuwait; His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein
of Jordan; His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan;
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin
Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam; His Majesty Tuanku
Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra
Jamalullail, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XII of
Malaysia; His Serene Highness Prince Albert II
of Monaco; His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri
of Luxembourg; His Majesty King Letsie III of
Lesotho; His Majesty King Mswati of Swaziland;
and His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
Monarchs from 13 other countries sent their
representatives to join the celebrations. These
representatives were His Royal Highness Prince
Henrik, the Prince Consort of Denmark; His Royal
Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a of Tonga;
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway;
His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander, the
Prince of Orange of the Netherlands; His Highness
Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa of Bahrain;
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium;
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel
Wangchuck of Bhutan; Her Royal Highness Princess
Lalla Salma Bennani of Morocco; Her Majesty Queen
Sofia of Spain; His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin
Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates; His
Royal Highness the Duke of York of the United
Kingdom; His Serene Highness Prince Hans Adam
II of Liechtenstein; and His Highness Sayyid Shihab
bin Tariq Taimour Al Said of Oman.
- Audience with Reigning Monarchs and Representatives.
Dr. Surakiart had an audience with HH the Amir
of Kuwait, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
of the United Arab Emirates, HRH Crown Prince
of Bhutan, and HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Taimour
Al Said of Oman. He also joined the high-level
discussions with His Majesty the King of Jordan
as well as with HRH the Duke of York.
- Meeting with the Foreign Press on the 60th
Anniversary.
On 8 June, Dr. Surakiart received over 20 members
of the foreign press visiting Thailand on the
occasion of this auspicious occasion. He informed
the group of how the Royal Thai Government and
all the people of Thailand from all walks of life
have joined hands to celebrate this auspicious
occasion which marks one of the most important
milestones in Thailand's history. When asked about
the role of the institution of Monarchy in the
eyes of the Thai public, Dr. Surakiart responded
that the institution of the Monarchy has long
stood alongside the Kingdom of Thailand for centuries
and it is precisely because His Majesty King Bhumipol
has done so much in terms of devoting his energy
and intellect for the betterment of his people,
especially the poorest and the most vulnerable
people of Thailand, there clearly is no doubt
that His Majesty and our institution of Monarchy
will always have a special place in the hearts
and minds of the people of Thailand. He elaborated
on His Majesty’s work and dedication to
development activities and human development,
particularly on His Majesty’s philosophy
of “Sufficiency Economy” and its implementation.
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| Visit
of Chairman of the African Union Commission, 5 June.
On 5 June, Dr. Surakiart joined the
discussions held between the Thai Prime Minister
and President Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairman of
the Commission of the African Union, during his
official visit to Thailand. Thereafter, President
Konare had a productive exchange of views with
Dr. Surakiart, followed by a dinner hosted by
Dr. Surakiart.
President Konare reiterated that his visit is
a testimony to Dr. Surakiart’s long-standing
friendship with Africa and the African Union.
In this spirit, he extended an invitation to Dr.
Surakiart to attend the upcoming Summit of the
African Union in Banjul, The Gambia, on 1-2 July.
Dr. Surakiart expressed his readiness to deliver
a statement at the said Summit and to hold bilateral
meetings with both African Leaders and their Foreign
Ministers. Dr. Surakiart also informed President
Konare that he would visit a number of African
countries both before and after the AU Summit.
On the issue of UNSG, President Konare reaffirmed
Africa’s support for Asia’s turn.
As the ASEAN Candidate, Dr. Surakiart updated
President Konare on his campaign, and the ASEAN
strategy in promoting his candidacy.
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Visit
of Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel,
1-2 June.
On 1st June, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dr.
Dimitrij Rupel met with Dr. Surakiart in Bangkok
during his visit to attend the 8th Human Security
Network (HSN) Ministerial Meeting. They exchanged
views on the future direction of the HSN under
Slovenia’s chairmanship next year. Dr. Surakiart
recalled his personal involvement in the activities
of the HSN, including his participation in the
HSN 5th Ministerial Meeting in 2003 as well as
his initiative in linking human security with
key issues as mine-ban, and HIV/AIDS. Dr. Surakiart
commended Slovenia’s initiative in establishing
the Task Force on Dialogue of Civilization. He
elaborated on his views and initiatives in building
strength from diversity as well as in promoting
better understanding between different religions.
They also had a productive exchange of views
on the UN reform process, particularly management
reform. He briefed the Slovenian Foreign Minister
on the outcome of the Leaders’ Network in
Support of UN Reform held in Bangkok. As the ASEAN
Candidate, he updated the Slovenian Foreign Minister
on the UNSG campaign.
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