Thai PM to visit Laos, Vietnam

BANGKOK, November 17 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is scheduled to visit Laos and Vietnam next week, aimed to strengthen relations between Thailand and the two neighbouring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to a spokesman of the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), General Prayut, who is also the NCPO chief, will first pay a two-day official visit to Laos from November 26-27. The spokesman stated that the Thai prime minister will later fly to Vietnam, also for a two day official visit, from November 27-28. The upcoming trips to Laos and Vietnam by the Thai premier were announced on Monday, after his visits to Beijing to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and related forums from November 10-11 and to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital, to attend the 25th ASEAN Summit and related forums, from November 12-13. (TNA)