THAILAND INCREASES PLANNED CASH AID FOR HAITI, MOD

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000148 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE AND USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT TH HA SUBJECT: THAILAND INCREASES PLANNED CASH AID FOR HAITI, MOD INQUIRES ABOUT POSSIBLE U.S. TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE REF: STATE 4854 ¶1. (SBU) We conveyed reftel U.S. appreciation for Thailand's assistance for Haiti relief efforts to Phisek Panupat of the Latin AMERICA Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs January 19. Phisek confirmed to us that the Thai Cabinet had decided earlier January 19 to increase Thailand's offer of $20,000 in financial assistance to $100,000. ¶2. (SBU) Phisek also told us that MFA Permanent Secretary Theerakun Niyom was chairing a meeting of twenty RTG agencies late January 19 to explore other areas of assistance for Haiti. In addition, a Haiti relief taskforce had been established in the MFA's Policy and Planning Office and a call center had been opened January 18 to allow Thais to contribute money towards relief efforts in Haiti. ¶3. (SBU) Phisek confirmed press reports that the RTG was planning to coordinate RTG assistance efforts for Haiti with Mexico via the Thai Embassy in Mexico. FM Kasit had met his Mexican counterpart over the weekend at a Latin American-Southeast Asian ministerial meeting and discussed coordinating efforts after Mexico had agreed to assist with the evacuation of three Thai nationals from Haiti. Phisek expressed appreciation for U.S. engagement with the Thai Embassy in Washington regarding the evacuation of Thai nationals. He noted that the RTG had explored multiple possibilities of how to evacuate Thai nationals quickly, including reaching out to the U.S., Mexico, and China. ¶4. (SBU) Separately, the Ministry of Defense Permanent Secretary's office contacted JUSMAGTHAI to explore the possibility of U.S. transportation assistance to send medical supplies to Haiti. The MOD had not yet procured the supplies, but planned to do so if transportation assistance were available. Post requests advice on whether the Thai MOD should be encouraged to procure medical supplies for U.S. transport, or alternatively to provide donations in cash to expedite assistance. JOHN