Thai PM leaves for official visit to India

BANGKOK, June 16 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is leaving for a three-day official visit to India, scheduled for June 16-18, at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between New Delhi and Bangkok in all dimensions, especially in technologies and defence industry. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists that after his arrival in New Delhi later Thursday, the Thai prime minister is scheduled to present his government’s policies to the Thailand team in India. The deputy spokesman stated that during his stay in India, the Thai prime minister is also scheduled to confer with his Indian counterpart and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, as well as to pay a courtesy call on Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari and to meet representatives of the Indian private sector. The deputy spokesman said issues to be raised for discussions between the Indian and Thai sides include trade, investment and cultural cooperation. According to the deputy spokesman, India is one of major global markets, but trade and investment between India and Thailand have been limited and the discussions will, thus, cover how to reduce barriers to bilateral trade and investment. Besides, four agreements are expected to be singed during the Thai prime minister's ongoing trip to India, including those on cultural exchange programmes, investment cooperation, banking cooperation between India's Axis Bank and Thailand's Kasikornbank and horticultural and historical exchange programmes between India's Nagaland University and Thailand's Chiang Mai University. Accompanied by his wife and his entourage, including Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, many other Cabinet members, and representatives from the Thai public and private sectors, the Thai prime minister is also reportedly scheduled to travel to Bodh Gaya on the last day of his visit to India to take part in a prayers and meditation ceremony beneath the Mahabodhi Tree at the Mahabodhi Temple, the Lord Buddha’s enlightenment site, and do other forms of merit markings, including alms offering to Buddhist monks, to pay tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the royally-twin auspicious occasion this year of the 70th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne on June 9 and the 84th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen on August 12. (TNA)