On 24 April, I  invited students from Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, Kasetsart, ABAC and RBAC Universities to have tea with me at my residence to discuss their views on the current political situation. I was very impressed by the standard of debate and found the discussion most interesting. The Thai students were enthusiastic about expressing their opinions on a wide range of views, in both Thai and English.

21 April 2008

I was invited by the Thai Interior Minister, Mr.Chalerm Yoobumrung, to pay a joint visit to the Commissioner of Immigration Bureau, Pol.Lt.Gen Chadchawan Sooksomjit and Deputy Commission-General of Royal Thai Police(RTP), Pol.Gen Prung Boonpadung,  on 21/4/2008 at the Immigration Detention Centre(IDC). There was a large group of newspaper and tv journalists when I arrived at IDC. The Minister was interested to hear what I had to say. The meeting was conducted in Thai language. I made a point of thanking the IDC staff members for their co-operation with the embassy and brought up four issues which have been causing us some concern. These are cell overcrowding, lack of access to exercise facilities, unsatisfactory food and inadequate medical care.The Minister accompanied me to visit the detention cells in which there were three British detainees and then I had a private meeting with the IDC Commissioner  and the RTP Deputy Commission-General. I was informed that the Thais hoped to open a new IDC in summer and they would examine what could be done to make improvements, including increasing the detainees' exercise frequency.
     
This is my second trip to IDC and it will certainly not be my last.