Vietnam expects concerned parties in Thailand to settle tensions through peaceful dialogues, said Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga.

Answering reporters’ questions on reactions of Vietnam as the ASEAN Chair on Thailand’s current situation on May 20, spokeswoman Nga stressed that Vietnam has been keeping a close watch on Thailand’s complicated development over the recent past and wants concerned parties to settle tensions through peaceful dialogues, avoid violence and soon bring the country to the stable conditions for the interest of Thai people as well as for regional peace and stability.

As the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam has promptly discussed and consulted with Thailand and other ASEAN members on the issue, the spokeswoman said.

Earlier, on May 18, 2010 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent an answering letter to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other ASEAN government leaders, confirming his wish for Thailand to overcome the current challenge peacefully and through dialogues.

He also agreed that ASEAN should act together and raise a common voice expressing the bloc’s worry and solidarity to Thailand in this difficult time.

On May 19, 2010, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem also sent a letter to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and other ASEAN FMs and the ASEAN Secretary General, expressing his concern over violent situation in Thailand and his hope that concerned parties would restrain themselves and seek appropriate solutions through peaceful dialogues.

At present, Vietnam is actively discussing with other ASEAN members on the bloc’s position on Thailand situation./.