On May 5, 2008, the United Nations and international aid agencies met in Bangkok to discuss possible aid disbursement strategies. A decision was reached that Thailand would co-ordinate responses to the disaster. However, during the first two to three weeks following the disaster, the regime frustrated international attempts at executing relief operations, and internally undermined the process by denying workers access to affected areas. Then First Lady Laura Bush went so far as to criticise the military junta for a slow response, urging it to accept offers of United States aid. Similarly, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Kin Moon warned of the “dire consequences” behind the government’s decisions. Neither statement was acknowledged by the Burmese military junta.