Key facts
- Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow addressed incidents involving Chinese tourists and Thai officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
- Sihasak stated that the Chinese ambassador has a responsibility to help Chinese tourists understand Thai regulations.
- He emphasized that diplomats should prioritize maintaining international relations and fostering understanding.
- The Minister stressed that an ambassador's role is not solely to protect their country's interests.
- Sihasak noted that the Chinese ambassador understands the need to foster better bilateral understanding.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has urged the Chinese ambassador to Thailand to play a more active role in fostering understanding between the two countries, particularly concerning Thai regulations and recent incidents involving Chinese tourists. Following disturbances at Suvarnabhumi Airport where Chinese tourists were reportedly barred from boarding flights and Thai officials were seen in photos allegedly bullying them, Sihasak emphasized that while immigration matters must adhere to regulations, processes should also be facilitated smoothly.
Sihasak stated that it is the responsibility of the Chinese embassy in Thailand to help Chinese tourists better comprehend the country's regulations. He conveyed to the ambassador that this is a sensitive issue requiring clarification rather than solely defending Chinese interests. The Minister reiterated that an ambassador's primary duty is to promote international relations and cultivate good understanding among peoples, and their public statements should reflect this responsibility, rather than exacerbating controversies.