Obama to visit Thailand Nov 18-19

BANKGOK, November 9 (TNA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that re-elected US President Barack Obama is scheduled to pay his first official visit to Thailand as the guest of the Thai government from November 18-19. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Manasvi Srisodapol, who is also Director-General of the ministry's Department of Information, told reporters that during his two-day trip to Thailand, Obama will discuss bilateral and multilateral issues with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, with details of his visit to the Kingdom to be concluded and announced by next week. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said, meanwhile, the forthcoming visit to Thailand by the US President shows that the international community recognizes the Thai Kingdom's democratic government. Surapong acknowledged that it will be the first official visit to Thailand by the US President in four years, after former US president George W Bush paid a working visit to Bangkok in 2008. According to the deputy premier, many other world leaders are also scheduled to visit Thailand this month, including South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who will make the first visit to Thailand in 31 years, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who will make the first visit to the Thai Kingdom in 10 years. The deputy premier noted the forthcoming visits to Thailand by the world and regional leaders should reflect the Thai government's achievements in foreign affairs. (TNA)