Cablegate: Thailand Plans to Assist Haiti

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SUBJECT: THAILAND PLANS TO ASSIST HAITI

REF: JANUARY 13 EAP-EMBASSY BANGKOK O-I EMAIL

1. (SBU) The RTG plans to provide $20,000 assistance to Haiti
following the devastating earthquake on January 12,
Phisek Panupat of MFA's Latin America Division confirmed to
us. (Note: No information on how that money would be sent.)
The RTG is forming an interagency team to examine what
additional assistance Thailand might be able to provide,
including medical teams organized by the Ministry of Public
Health. While the military is examining the possibility of
sending a plane to Haiti with supplies, such as food items
and generators, a Royal Thai Armed Forces General told us
late January 14 that was unlikely. The Thai are not sure
exactly what they could contribute that would be most useful.
Phisek recognized that any such additional Thai assistance
would probably be during the recovery phase rather than the
current emergency phase. No further monetary donations are
anticipated.

2. (SBU) Phisek reiterated some of the points made by Thai
Charge Sek in Washington during his January 13 meeting with
EAP DAS Marciel (ref), specifically a desire to work through
the U.S. to facilitate Thai assistance and a request for help
from the U.S. in the evacuation of the four Thai nationals in
Haiti, at some point, though Phisek remarked that they
currently plan to remain in Haiti to assist in the emergency
response.
JOHN

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