December 6, 2004

Thailand May Become Regional Base for Fighting Bird Flu

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) wants Thailand to become the base for fighting bird flu among the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to an Agriculture Ministry spokesman.

The spokesman said that the proposal was made during a recent meeting between Minister Wan Muhamad Noor Matha and He Chang Chui, assistant director of FAO's Asia and the Pacific regional office.

The FAO had commended Thailand for its cooperation with the UN body in controlling the disease, the spokesman stated.