Thailand affirms neutral stance on Russia-Ukraine
Thailand has confirmed its neutrality in the Rus
sia-Ukraine conflict, saying it remains committed to a balanced foreign policy that is in the country’s best interests.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongcha
na clarified the government’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine situation last Thursday (Mar 10), saying that since the start of the conflict, Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had laid down a policy of supporting dialogue to find a peaceful resolution in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Thailand has also made its position clear via
a statement by the bloc’s foreign
ministers calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and make the utmost effort to pursue dialogue through all channels to de-escalate tension.
Given the threat posed by
COVID-19, Thailand does not want to see any international conflict and tension to compound the public health crisis, and strongly believes a solution to the conflict can be achieved through peaceful means, Thanakorn said.
Tanee Sangrat, spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the ministry has approved B2 million for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, after it received a request for help from the Ukrainian embassy in Bangkok.
The money will be used to buy daily necessities for people in Ukraine affected by
the fighting. The items will be handed out via the Ukrainian Red Cross Society or other international organisations, he said.
Meanwhile, an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat
University, or Suan Dusit Poll, shows that a large majority of Thai people are worried by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying it would have a considerable impact, particularly on fuel prices and the cost of living.
The poll was conducted online between Mar 7-10 on 1,143 people throughout the country.
Of the respondents, 52.4% were fairly interested in and follow the news on the war, 30.71% said they paid a great deal of attention to the news, while 13.04% had little interest in it and 3.85% no interest at all.
Asked on which media they followed the Russia-Ukraine war news, 84/89% mentioned social media such as LINE, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; 59.4% watched television news programmes; and 34.36% read news agency websites.
A large majority, 75.15%, were worried by the news – 53.81% moderately and 21.34% highly. Of the rest, 19.95% weren’t particularly worried and 4.9% not worried at all.
Asked what they thought about Thailand joining 140 other countries to vote for a UN resolution demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, 56.59% said Thailand wanted to see a quick end to the war; 51.46% said the move was appropriate, based on humanitarian principles; and 50.4% said Thailand had played an appropriate role in the world forum.