Thailand, as coordinator of the next Asean-GCC Ministerial Ministers’ Meeting, is addressing fallout from the decision by Arab and other Muslim nations to cut ties with Qatar, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Tuesday.
If the situation did not improve, Thailand would be affected as it serves as coordinator of the regional body's meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) later this year, but the impact would be minimal.
The minister expected the situation to ease, but it may take time. He cited a similar incident in 2014 that took at least 9 months to settle, Post Today reported.
On Monday, Saudi Arabia, other Arab countries and the Maldives severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and moved to cut off land, sea and air services to the oil-rich emirate that is home to a major US military base, accusing it of supporting regional Islamist terror groups.
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen made no demands of Qatar, but their decision plunged the nation's international travel hub into chaos, igniting the biggest diplomatic crisis in the Gulf since the 1991 war against Iraq.
Mr Don said the move would not affect relations between Thailand and Qatar, but it would affect exports. Authorities would closely monitor the situation.
People travelling to or from Qatar may find the journey less convenient than usual, the minister added.
He believed Qatar would try to solve the problem and remain in contact with other countries.