THAI REACTION TO DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 004001 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR S, EAP, EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2016 TAGS: PREL TH KN KNNP PARM SUBJECT: THAI REACTION TO DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH REF: SECSTATE 111144 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN M. SUTTON. REASON 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (SBU) In a statement to reporters on July 5, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkohn called upon North Korea to "refrain from doing any activities which will create mistrust" and urged Pyongyang "to seek peaceful negotiations to prevent any misunderstandings." According to Kantathi, Thailand is extremely concerned about the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Prime Minister Thaksin, later in the day, also failed to directly condemn the recent missile launches, but urged North Korea to engage in negotiations. Thaksin publicly suggested that the ASEAN Regional Forum could play a role in the issue. ¶2. (C) In his statement, Kantathi expressed continuing RTG willingness to play a more direct role in negotiations with North Korea, telling reporters that he plans on discussing the issue with Secretary Rice during his visit to Washington July 8-11. Separately, MFA officials confirmed to Emboff on July 5 that Kantathi plans to offer himself as a go-between with Pyongyang--again--during his meeting with the Secretary. ¶3. (SBU) On June 6, poloff passed ref points and statement to MFA Counselor Makawadee Sumitmor, Department of East Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. BOYCE