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| Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra of Thailand dissolved parliament on February
24. The polling day will be April 2. The National
Election Commission is expected to make an official
announcement of the election outcome 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 early May. 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.
The dissolution does not affect the candidature
of Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, who remains Deputy
Prime Minister until the new cabinet is formed
and sworn in.
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| Activities
at Home
On 16 March, Mozambique Foreign Minister Dr.
Alcinda Antonio de Abreu met with Dr. Surakiart
upon her official visit to Thailand. They discussed
bilateral relations and preparations for the upcoming
visit of the President of Mozambique. On technical
cooperation, they identified areas in strengthening
the exchange of experiences, particularly in fishery,
public health, education and poverty eradication
projects. They also exchanged views on international
developments and the UN reform process. The Mozambique
Foreign Minister reiterated Africa’s support
for Asia’s turn for the position of United
Nations Secretary-General.
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Upon the official visit to Thailand
of Lithuanian President Valdus Adamkus on 2-3 March,
Dr. Surakiart participated in the high-level discussions
which covered bilateral and multilateral issues,
including the UN reform process. Dr. Surakiart also
exchanged views with leading personalities accompanying
the Lithuanian President including Foreign Minister
Antanas Valionis. |
As ASEAN
candidate, Dr. Surakiart hosted a working luncheon
with the Bangkok-based ASEAN envoys. He informed
them on the latest developments and exchanged views
on the ASEAN strategy to build on the momentum of
support. The ASEAN envoys reaffirmed ASEAN’s
endorsement and full support for Surakiart’s
candidacy.
Dr. Surakiart has also been exchanging views with
Bangkok-based envoys and visiting senior government
officials and other stakeholders. |
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