Thai King grants audiences to Obama, Wen

BANGKOK, November 14 (TNA) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will grant audiences to US President Barack Obama and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao during their official visits to Thailand later this month. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who is also Foreign Minister concurrently, said on Wednesday that Obama, who is paying an official visit to Thailand from November 18-19, will be granted an audience with His Majesty the King at 5pm on November 18, before meeting with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at Bangkok's Government House. Surapong, who is accompanying Premier Yingluck during her ongoing official visit to the United Kingdom from November 12-15, told TNA that he has informed the prime minister directly and the US Embassy to Thailand has also been notified of the schedule so that it will forward the message to the White House. According to the deputy premier, the Chinese prime minister, who is scheduled to officially visit Thailand from November 20-21, will also be granted an audience with the revered Thai monarch on November 21. The deputy premier acknowledged that the world two key leaders’ audiences with the beloved Thai monarch mean honor and good occasions for both countries to further enhance relations with Thailand. (TNA)