New York, 6 October 2006 - Surakiart Sathirathai, Thailand’s candidate for UN Secretary-General, withdrew his candidacy Friday afternoon, 6 October.

The Japanese mission confirmed that the President of the Security Council (Japan for the month of October) received a letter from the Permanent Representative of Thailand ending Surakiart’s candidacy. He had been endorsed by the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Permanent Representative of the Philippines, current chair of ASEAN, sent a letter to the Security Council on Friday, as well, confirming Surakiart’s withdrawal.

Ban Ki-Moon of South Korea is now the only candidate. Despite there being only his name on the ballot, the Security Council will hold a formal vote for the Secretary-General on Monday, 9 October, at 9:30 am.