The Hague, 13 December 2002

Number 72
 
Press Release

Thailand Ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention


Thailand deposited its instrument of ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention with the United Nations Secretary-General on 10 December 2002.

Thailand will become the 148th State Party to the Convention on 9 January 2003, thirty days after the deposit of its instrument of ratification.

This most recent accession significantly increases the reach of the Convention’s chemical disarmament and non-proliferation regime, since Thailand’s active chemical industry, including major product areas with many industrial and household applications, will now be covered by the Convention.


The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) came into existence on 29 April 1997. Its deed of foundation—the Chemical Weapons Convention—aims to achieve four principal objectives: the elimination of chemical weapons and of the capacity to develop them, the verification of non-proliferation, international assistance and protection in the event of the use or threat of use of chemical weapons, and international cooperation and assistance in the peaceful use of chemistry.

For further information, please contact the Media and Public Affairs Branch at: +31 70 416-3300,

or e-mail to: media@opcw.org

Media and Public Affairs Branch
OPCW Technical Secretariat, Johan de Wittlaan 32, 2517 JR The Hague, The Netherlands

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