I. Overview

         Deliberations and negotiations on arms control and disarmament have been in the forefront if the concerns of the international community and on the agenda of the United Nation (UN) since its inception. During the cold war, UN activities in this field were influenced and even constrained by the realities of the East/ West confrontation. The end of cold war marked an evolutionary stage in the perceptions and priorities to be given to disarmament.
  
         Arms control and disarmament can be divided into 3 major categories : weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which includes nuclear weapons, chemical weapons and biological weapons; delivery system which are basically missiles; and, conventional weapons, which includes, inter alia, anti-personnel landmines, small arms and light weapons and such other conventional weapons as tanks and rockets etc.
 
         So far, although there are a number of international instruments to control WMD, like the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), little progress has been made on WMD disarmament, especially on nuclear weapons. The NPT is considered by many states to be a "double standard" treaty since it recognizes the Nuclear Weapons States (NWSs) as the "status quo" while banning others from having such weapons. The CTBT is still not in force even 5 years after signature in 1996. The US continues to develop its National Missile Defense (NMD), which many countries perceive as a violation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. At the same time, there are positive developments with regard to conventional weapons, as witnessed in the Mine Ban Treaty, which is close to its universality. In addition, the UN is convening an international conference on small arms this year.
 
II. Thailand and disarmament
 
         Thailand firmly believes that the way to achieve lasting international peace and security is to support the process of arms control and disarmament. It is also fully committed to non-proliferation of all types of weapons, both WMD and conventional arms. It also has a firm policy not to develop, acquire or proliferate any kind of WMD or their delivery systems. 
  
         Thailand is pleased to see positive developments in the disarmament of conventional weapons; however, it believes that equal priority and attention should be given to arms control and disarmament of WMD since its implications are far-reaching and non-discriminatory.
 
Weapons of Mass Destruction
 
         With regard to nuclear weapons disarmament, Thailand and other ASEAN countries have established the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) with the belief that it will contribute to the nuclear non-proliferation regime. It is ASEAN's earnest hope that the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty be soon accepted and ratified by all NWSs. 
  
         On NPT, the full adherence of all states parties to the Treaty is significant, especially by NWSs to fulfill their obligations to the total elimination of nuclear weapons within a specific timeframe. In this connection, Thailand wishes to see the measures adopted in the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference be pursued effectively and enthusiastically by NWSs.
 
         CTBT remains a key component of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. It should also be valued as complimentary to NPT and as a step towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, leading to a nuclear-weapon-free world. Thailand hopes that CTBT will enter into force at the earliest possible date. Although it is not one of the 44 countries whose ratification is needed for CTBT to enter into force, Thailand is expediting its efforts to ratify CTBT.
 
         On other types of WMD, which are biological weapons and chemical weapons, Thailand is a state party to the BWC and a signatory to CWC. It is in the process of ratifying the latter.
 
         Thailand wishes to see the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty be accepted and ratified by all Nuclear- Weapons States so it will enter into force at the earliest possible date.
 
Delivery Systems (Missiles)
 
         When mentioning WMD, their delivery systems, namely missiles, are also relevant. The US Government's continuation to develop National Missile Defense (NMD) System, which has been considered as a violation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, has raised concerns all over the world and in the Asia-Pacific region in particular. Thailand's view is that the ABM Treaty is a corner stone in maintaining strategic balance and controlling missile proliferation. The Treaty is very much in the spirit and according to the letter of NPT. Any violation of the treaty may run the risk of starting a new round of global arms race, which Thailand does not want to see. It is hoped that the countries concerned can settle their differences in a peaceful and friendly way through dialogue on this matter.
 
         Thailand supports any international efforts in controlling missile proliferation and appreciates the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Group’s effort in introducing a draft International Code of Conduct on Ballistic Missile (ICOC).
 
Conventional Weapons
 
          Since the inception of the UN Conventional Arms Registry (UNRCA) in 1992, Thailand has actively participated in the Registry by providing information on the import-export of 7 types of conventional arms to the UNRCA every year. In addition, Thailand is the only country among ASEAN to report its military budget annually to the UN. It is Thailand's belief that transparency in armaments will contribute to confidence building measures and eventually leads to arms reduction.
 
          Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia, to sign and ratify the Mine Ban Treaty or the Ottawa Convention. Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) has been established as a national focal point to implement this Convention. Thailand's commitment and its effort to fulfill its commitment under the Convention despite its budget constraints have been widely recognized and appreciated among the international community.
 
          On small arms and light weapons, Thailand fully supports the convening of the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held in July 2001, and actively participated in the Conference. Thailand strictly implements arms embargoes, authorized by the UN Security Council. It is Thailand's firm policy not to support any non-state actors or insurgent groups in opposition to other governments.
 
           It is Thailand's view that the solutions to problems caused by small arms and light weapons should be guided by at least two principles : a respect for the legitimate right of states to self defence, as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter; and, the differences in the scope and magnitude of the problem in each region. The root cause of such problems is the conflict itself and the demand for small arms arises from such conflicts. Therefore, the international community should address the problem at its roots. In addition, Thailand believes that the arms suppliers and recipients must share responsibility in this endeavour. 
  
           Although the outcome of the Conference, in particular the adopted Programme of Action, dose not meet every country's expectations, Thailand considers that this Programme of Action represents a first step in the international community's efforts to deal with the problem of small arms. It can certainly be improved and amended as necessary in the future, bearing in mind the necessity of being realistic, practical and implementable. 

  
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