Thai DPM meets Kerry in Washington

BANGKOK, May 7 (TNA) - Visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul met US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington on Monday (local time), during which they discussed matters of mutual interest, including security measures and human trafficking. Surapong, who is on his five-day trip to the United States, scheduled for May 4-8, to hold talks with Kerry on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, told journalists that his meeting with Kerry should be a good opportunity to continue dialogues on the future partnership between Thailand and the United States, as both long-time allied nations celebrate the 180th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. Kerry, meanwhile, said that Bangkok and Washington have cooperated on a far range of issues, from the environment to wildlife protection, species protection, counter-narcotics, organized crime, initiatives with respect to refugees and trafficking, anti-trafficking efforts; so, both sides have an enormously-broad security relationship. Thailand has remained on Washington's human trafficking watch list and the visiting Thai deputy premier reportedly hopes to convince the US government that Thailand has been serious to address the problem. (TNA)