Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has urged the Chinese ambassador in Bangkok to promote mutual understanding, not one-sided protection of Chinese interest.

Mr Sihasak made the remark at Government House on Wednesday, a day after the management of Suvarnabhumi International Airport apologised for its security guards’ mishandling fans of a Chinese artist at the airport last week.

In the incident, 22 Chinese fans were barred from boarding a Thai Airways International plane bound for Beijing together with their Chinese idol last Wednesday night for safety concerns. A Thai security guard, who was deployed to handle the group, appeared to make a slant-eye gesture towards the group of Chinese travellers.

Mr Sihasak said that Thais would like visitors to have a positive impression upon arrival, during their stay in Thailand and on their departure while officials concerned had to facilitate visitors’ compliance with regulations.

“I think it is the duty of the Chinese ambassador here because there have been many incidents, which may cause movements among Thais. I have told the ambassador that on sensitive matters the ambassador must come out and explain instead of speaking only to protect the Chinese interest,” Mr Sihasak said.

“Understanding must be created. Staying here, the ambassador’s main duty is to promote international relations and good understanding among people. So, in his statements, the ambassador must consider his duty instead of escalating movements.”

“The duty of the (Chinese) ambassador here and the Thai ambassador there is to maintain good relations between both sides,” Mr Sihasak said.

On Tuesday night, the management of Suvarnabhumi International Airport issued a statement to apologise for the handling of Chinese fans, who were following a Chinese artist while he was boarding a Thai Airways International plane destined for Beijing.

The airport management said that 22 Chinese travellers were prohibited from boarding the same plane because they did not comply with regulations and they could have caused trouble if they had been allowed on the flight.