Thai election timeline intact: Foreign Minister

Tokyo, Feb 27: Thailand's foreign minister sought today to dispel doubts about whether a general election promised by his country's army within 12 months of last September's coup would take place as planned.

''We have set a timeline for ourselves... In one year's time, I will say my farewell and I don't think there are any ifs, ands or buts,'' Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram told reporters in Tokyo, where he was on a four-day official visit.

''I'm preparing to buy a ticket to Hawaii at the end of the year, taking my exit from this government,'' he said.

Nitya, a former ambassador to Washington, was appointed to the cabinet in October after the September 19 coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Japan is Thailand's biggest trading partner, with two-way flows topping billion in 2006, and Nitya said the country was open to foreign investment despite concerns over capital controls and political uncertainty.

''Thailand has always been, continues to remain and will always be an open market economy,'' he said.

''We are committed to enhanced economic interaction with the international marketplace.'' He added investors were confident in Thai financial markets, saying stocks and the baht currency were stable.

Reuters