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AMB. VIRASAKDI FUTRAKUL, PERMANENT OBSERVER OF THAILAND TO THE OAS
STATEMENT OF THE DELEGATION OF THAILAND TO THE OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

June 4, 2006 - Santo Domingo, República Dominicana


Minister and heads of delegation,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Mr. Assistant Secretary General,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentleman,

On behalf of the Thai delegation, I would like to express our gratitude for the invitation to participate in this meeting between the Member States and Permanent Observer countries. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of the Dominican Republic, the host of the GA, for the warm welcome and kind hospitality extended to our delegation.

As Thailand enters its eighth year as a Permanent Observer country, we have always sought to support various activities of the OAS through our participation in meetings in out capacity as an observer country, in humanitarian assistance offered to member countries faced with natural disasters and offering short-term training courses related to promoting the cultural, social and economic development as well as to strengthening democracy and the peace and security of the Americas.

In 2006, the Royal Thai Government awarded scholarships for the OAS Member States with multiple short-term training courses in various specialized areas of study.
They provide opportunities for our officials to exchange innovative ideas and to learn from each other experiences. The Royal Thai Government is offering 6 short-term training courses namely;

1. Environmental Health with the Emphasis on Food Security
2. Poverty Reduction
3. Revitalizing Higher Education Management
4. Managing a Competitive Export Business
5. Tourism Management
6. Community-Based Micro-Finance and Income Generation Management for Poverty Alleviation


Mr. Chairman,

On this occasion, I have further honour to announce that the Royal Thai Government would be pleased to contribute, 10,000 USD, to the OAS Mission in Colombia, which is tasked with verifying the demobilization of illegal armed groups.
The Royal Thai Government realizes that a successful peace process with the paramilitary groups would contribute to curtailing the narcotics trafficking that harms
the health of citizens in many parts of the world.

In addition, the Royal Thai Government is also keen to share our experience on crop substitution programme, which has served as a model for other countries including Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

I am confident that our contributions will not only benefit OAS Member States but will also promote the relationship between Thailand and OAS in the future.

Thank you