Thai PM visits Singapore June 11-12

BANGKOK, June 11 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is paying a two-day official visit to Singapore, scheduled for June 11-12, at the invitation of his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Accompanied by his entourage, including Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and his wife, Naraporn Chan-ocha, Prime Minister General Prayut left Bangkok for Singapore on Thursday morning, his visit to the 7th ASEAN neighbouring country since taking his office in September 2014. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Veerachon Sukhontapatipak told journalists that the Thai prime minister's ongoing trip to the island state is also aimed at studying Singapore’s economy, education and migrant labour management. The deputy spokesman said during his stay in Singapore, the Thai prime minister is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam, hold a meeting with his Singapore counterpart, dubbed a Leaders’ Retreat, and witness the singing of four memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between the two neighbouring nations, including those on an exemption of double taxation and on bilateral cooperation on marine tourism and between the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation and information exchange on production and marketing on digital content products between Thailand's Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) and Singapore's Media Development Authority (MIDA). According to the deputy spokesman, it is expected that the four MOUs should further boost two-way trade, investment and tourism between the two ASEAN neighbours. Prior to his return to Bangkok on Friday evening, the Thai prime minister and his entourage are scheduled to visit orchid and botanical gardens, as well as visit Thai athletes participating in the ongoing 28th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), hosted by the island state, and witness the final of sepak takraw game. (TNA)