Thai PM leaves for visit to Japan

BANGKOK, February 8 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha left Bangkok early Sunday for a three-day official visit to Japan, his first visit to that country following the May 22 bloodless coup. Accompanied by his wife and several cabinet ministers including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, and Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the prime minister left for Tokyo on an invitation by his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe. A Thai government spokesman said the purpose of General Prayut’s visit is to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries, through a dual rail track development in Thailand, a development of Dawei Special Economic Zone in Myanmar and enhancement of Thailand-Japan trade and investment. Besides holding a bilateral discussion with Abe, General Prayut is also scheduled to have an audience with Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito at Akasaka Palace on Monday. During General Prayut’s visit, the two governments are expected to sign a memorandum of intent on the development of the dual rail track, a memorandum of cooperation on promoting businesses in each country and joint investment in a third country. (TNA)