Foreign Ministry spokesman Sihasak Puangketkaew said that Thailand had been asked by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide medical assistance to Iraqis, most likely when US-led hostilities come to an end, the Nation newspaper reported Tuesday.

The spokesman said that it is likely that Thailand would organize mobile medical units to provide medical treatment for Iraqis.

The Thai government would observe the situation and could start the assistance "as soon as the UNHCR officially confirms the need for us to help," he added.

Thailand has distanced itself from the war in Iraq, while saying it is willing to help with the country's rehabilitation once hostilities cease.

Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said neighbors of Iraq had asked Thailand to take part in refugee-welfare campaigns.

Thailand is known for its ability to take care of refugees, most recently in Afghanistan, Surakiart said, noting that Thailand could provide medical supplies and personnel, as well as food.

He said his ministry had set up what he called a 24-hour "war room" to monitor developments concerning the conflict.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2003)