The military regime and the government brushed off anti-coup protests at the United Nations in New York Sunday, saying the move would not cast Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a bad light or undermine him at the summit.
Col Winthai Suvaree, spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said the prime minister's visit was not ruined by the anti-coup protests and he received a warm welcome from his supporters in the US.
He pointed out that demonstrations at the UN General Assembly were common and the protests against the Thai leader were unlikely to attract special attention or damage the country's image.
The regime spokesman expressed confidence the international community now has a better understanding of the political situation in Thailand. Col Winthai said the endorsement of Bangkok by the group of 77 developing nations (G-77) to chair the 51-year-old bloc at the UN for 2016-2017 is proof of the international community's confidence.