Thailand voices 'grave concern' over N Korean nuke test

BANGKOK: Thailand on Monday voiced "grave concern" over North Korea's first-ever nuclear test, but stopped short of calling for global sanctions against Pyongyang.   

"We express our grave concern over North Korea's nuclear test," said foreign ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinond.   

"We want to see a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and urge North Korea to return to six-party talks as soon as possible," Kitti said, referring to the multinational nuclear disarmament talks.   

But Kitti said the ministry had no plans to summon the North Korean ambassador over Pyongyang's nuclear test.   

Thailand established diplomatic ties with North Korea in 1975. The kingdom imported North Korean goods worth $133 million in 2004. The products were mainly gold, frozen seafood and computer parts.   

Thailand also exported goods, mainly rubber goods and computer parts, worth $222 million to North Korea.