Thai PM cancels overseas trips in Dec

BANGKOK, December 6 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has canceled all her earlier scheduled overseas trips this month to handle the domestic situation. Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi told journalists on Friday that the prime minister has now assigned a relevant minister to attend the opening ceremony of the next Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Naypyidaw, Myanmar's capital, on December 10 on her behalf. Teerat said the prime minister has also assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan to attend the ASEAN-Japan Summit and the Mekong-Japan Summit in Japan from December 12-15. Besides, the prime minister has postponed her visit to Moscow, earlier scheduled for December 8-10, until next year. According to the spokesman, the prime minister is concerned over the domestic situation and wants to monitor updates relating to domestic political demonstrations this month. Meanwhile, the prime minister worked at Bangkok's Government House as usual, while officials were preparing the Government House's compound for the Samosorn Sannibat State Reception the government will host on Saturday evening and broadcast live in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 86th birthday anniversary on December 5. Permanent Secretary for the Prime Minister's Office Thongtong Chantarangsu then told reporters that this year's state reception will be presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who will be accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak and Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali, while other participants in the event will be senior government officials, international diplomats and leading business operators in the country.(TNA)