Prime Minister Prayut Chan-cha is banking on winning a seat on the United Nations Security Council to bolster the international community's confidence in Thailand.
Prayut said the new non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council will be decided by the UN member states, but Thailand has been lobbying intensely for the Asia-Pacific seat, as has Kazakhstan.
“Thailand and Kazakhstan are neck and neck in the race. If Thailand wins the seat the confidence of he international community will increase, as will our role,” he said.
The UN will take part in the vote at the United Nations to select new non-permanent members of the Security Council to serve in 2017-2018 in New York on Tuesday, which is early Wednesday in Thailand.
The prime minister claimed the fact Thailand is run by a military government is not a key factor in deciding if Bangkok will win a seat on the UNSC, as his government has been promoting greater understanding from foreign countries since taking power in May 2014.
Thailand also played the significant role in the UN as the chairman of G-77, which groups 134 developing nations.
A Thai diplomat who declined to be named told the Bangkok Post Thailand had a "good chance" over Kazakhstan to secure a seat.
On human rights concerns expressed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week, Gen Prayut said he had sent a delegation to the UN headquarters in New York to explain and promote understanding of the situation here.
“The delegation is currently at the UN to explain the facts, reasons, evidence and relevant cases that we are handling. It is up to the UN whether to listen or not listen,” the prime minister said.
The delegation led by vice minister for foreign affairs Virasak Futrakul will meet the UN deputy secretary-general as Mr Ban will be away overseas, according to the prime minister.
Gen Prayut led the coup, backed by military leaders and the police chief, that toppled the government under the Pheu Thai Party in a bloodless coup in 2014 that followed months of anti-government street protests.