GMA, Thai PM hold bilateral talks; no mention of Thaksin asylum

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo and Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat held talks yesterday at Malacañang on pursuing greater regional cooperation to address the global economic crisis.

There was no mention in the meeting of the reported bid of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra to seek political asylum in the Philippines, but Malacañang said he would be turned away if he makes such a request.

Somchai’s seven-hour visit came on the eve of the crucial meeting of the ASEAN+3 where the regional bloc would try to finalize the amount and the mechanics of disbursing the proposed multi-billion dollar standby facility for distressed financial institutions in the region.

ASEAN+3 comprises the 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus dialogue partners China, Japan and South Korea.

Somchai arrived in Manila at 3 p.m. and was met by Vice President Noli de Castro at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. He laid a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park. The Thai delegation then proceeded to the Manila Hotel.

Somchai arrived at the Palace grounds at 5:45 p.m. and was accorded honors by members of the Presidential Security Group.

The two leaders met for about 40 minutes at the Music Room and were later joined by Cabinet officials from both sides.

In her speech at the state dinner tendered in honor of Somchai, Mrs. Arroyo said ASEAN members are counting on the leadership of Thailand, which currently chairs the regional alliance, in pursuing a cooperative financial program to address the crisis.

She pointed out that Somchai called on the ASEAN leaders during the Asia-Europe Summit in Beijing, China last month “to come together to seek a common ground on ways to coordinate assistance for our economies just as our countries have done so on so many other important issues.”

“All eyes are on the global stock market but under your leadership, ASEAN does not lose sight of the often unseen impact of global economic crisis on the long-term needs of the poor,” the President said.

She noted that ASEAN wants to insulate the region from the global economic crisis “in a way that puts the poor ahead of the rich and powerful.”

“And we’re doing this in a way that offers a global solution to a global challenge,” she said.

“We all agree that we must instill confidence in our market economies. But we must also take action to provide hope to those who need it most,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

She said it was clear to ASEAN economies, under Thailand’s leadership, “that coordinated action among nations is the better path than going it alone.”

“We count on Thailand to champion the cry of the poor as we work together to counter the global financial crisis,” she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said past “mistakes” have strengthened the Philippine financial system although measures have to be put in place to make it weather the present crisis.

Somchai was expected to leave at 10 last night.

No place for Thaksin

Presidential spokesman Jesus Dureza told ANC that Thaksin “will be courteously informed that he will not be received here.”

The Foreign Affairs department has not officially received any request from the multi-millionaire Thaksin, who is now in search of a refuge after the British government revoked his entry visa.

Speculation over Thaksin’s possible move to the Philippines has heightened because of Somchai’s scheduled meeting with Mrs. Arroyo. Somchai is Thaksin’s brother-in-law.

Last month, Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail for conflict of interest after helping his wife buy state-owned land when he was prime minister.

The Philippines and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1949.

Thailand is hosting the annual ASEAN summit in Chiang Mai in December.