Thai DPM to visit US April 21-27

BANGKOK, April 19 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also Defence Minister, will fly to the United States this coming weekend at the invitation of the US Department of Defense, aimed to strengthen military and security ties and cooperation in all dimensions between Washington and Bangkok. Defence Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Kongcheep Tantrawanit announced on Thursday that the Thai deputy prime minister and defence minister is scheduled to lead his entourage to pay an official visit to the United States during April 21-27. The spokesman told journalists that during his one-week US trip, the Thai deputy premier, who oversees national security, will meet and hold talks with senior US officials, including US Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis, who he will discuss with and enhance ties and cooperation on military and strategic national defense between the United States and Thailand, and US Under Secretary of Homeland Security Claire M. Grady, who he will raise issues on security ties and cooperation between Washington and Bangkok in all dimensions. "The upcoming official visit to the United States by the Thai deputy premier shows strong and longstanding relations and strategic partnership between Washington and Bangkok, as well as further strengthens bilateral cooperation on military and security in various dimensions, following a visit to the United States by Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha late last year", the spokesman said. (TNA)