On 21 December 2012 H.E. Mr. Rathakit Manathat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of Turkey, on behalf of the Thai Government, donated US$30,000 to the Government of Turkey through H.E.Mr. Salih Boğaç Güldere, Acting Director-General for International Political Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, as an humanitarian aid for the Syrian refugees fleeing the violence in Syria.

H.E. the Ambassador expressed Thailand’s full understanding of Turkey’s need for additional humanitarian assistance in efforts to protect human rights and to promote the well-being of the increasing influx of the Syrian refugees in Turkey.

“Even though the contribution may not be that significant, compared to billions of dollars of humanitarian aid the Turkish Government is in need, we hope that it could still help reduce Turkish financial burden. This is also to show that it is not only Turkey which is giving humanitarian aid to the affected Syrians, but the global community is also extending its assistance to relieve their plight”.

He also complimented the commendable assistance that the Turkish Government is rendering to the Syrian refugees.

H.E. Mr. Güldere, in return, expressed appreciation for Thailand’s contribution. “Turkey is grateful for the kind assistance. So let me officially thank Thailand for the meaningful donation that Turkey gladly accepts. This is a token of solidarity”, said the Turkish Acting Director-General. He later emphasized that the contribution would be directed to help the affected Syrian refugees in the Turkish border.

H.E. the Acting Director General added that Turkey has been following the “open door” policy that draws approximately 120,000 Syrian refugees into the Turkey until now. 14 refugee camps were built for the Syrian refugee, with 2 under construction for the increasing influx of the Syrians.

Despite far distance from Syria in terms of its geographical location, Thailand is concerned over the ongoing unrest in Syria and condemns attacks against innocent civilians. However, the future of Syria should be decided by the Syrians, added the Ambassador.

 During the meeting, both Thailand and Turkey shared the strong need to put an end to the violent situation in Syria as soon as possible.

In a broader picture, Thailand also has been participating in international meetings, aiming at finding a peaceful and durable solution to the situation in Syria, for example, the Group of Friends of the Syrian People as an observer, and actively supports international efforts, especially those led by the United Nations and the Arab League in order to put an end to the violence in Syria.

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Wichulee Chotbenjakul

Royal Thai Embassy, Ankara