UN chief to call Thai PM over Sudan

Thailand has already agreed to send a battalion to join African Union forces and UN joint peacekeepers in war-torn Darfur. However, the deployment had to get permission from Sudan first.

Sompong said the UN chief's move came after Sudan's government said recently that it was ready to work with the international community to improve the security situation in the Darfur region.

"Therefore Ban wishes to confirm the Thai commitment to send Thai troops to Sudan," he said.

The contingent is expected to leave for Sudan in January.