US hopeful of Thailand's return to democracy

 Burns made such statement after a meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Relations between Thailand and the US are not in a good health after the military coup in  September last year. Washington froze military assistance to the Thai military and many deals were put on hold since then.

Thai government installed after the coup including Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and foreign minister Nitya tried hard to get better understanding from Washington on the need of the military to stage the coup.

The Thai generals promised to restore full democracy again to the kingdom and the junta-backed government set the general election on December 23.

"We hope very much for a good election, free and fair election on December 23, and the wish of Thai people would be respected, the military will remove itself from the political scene of the country and return power fully to people of Thailand," Burns told reporters after the meeting with Nitya.

"We say as the friend of Thailand and we say as the great wish of true democracy there," he added.

by Supalak G Khundee

The Nation, New York