MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Hon Julie Bishop MP
11 December 2013
POLITICAL SITUATION IN THAILAND
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Julie Bishop, has expressed the hope that the decision by Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to call an early election for February 2014 will help ease the country’s political tensions.
Ms Bishop noted that, although Thailand had been grappling with major political challenges, she appreciated the way in which the Thai authorities had allowed peaceful demonstrations and had responded in a restrained manner.
Ms Bishop encouraged all parties to resolve their political differences through peaceful democratic processes and with respect for the rule of law, reiterating that Thailand had Australia’s goodwill and support as it tried to find ways to settle its political difficulties.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller advice for Thailand alerts Australians to the protests and advises them to avoid all demonstrations and large-scale gatherings, monitor developments that might affect their safety in Thailand and plan their travel accordingly.
Foreign Minister’s Office: 02 6277 7500 DFAT media 02 6261 1555