Thailand prepares for Japanese PM's visit

BANGKOK, January 14 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called a meeting with authorities concerned on Monday to prepare for an official visit to Thailand by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, scheduled for January 17-18. Those who attended the meeting included Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na Ranong, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and Deputy Transport Minister General Prin Suwannatat and representatives of relevant agencies. Abe's forthcoming visit to Thailand is aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, cooperation and economic partnership between Thailand and Japan, particularly through infrastructure development projects and regional connectivity, as well as to strengthen Japan's roles in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Thai prime minister, during the meeting, ordered the Ministries of Commerce, Transport, Foreign Affairs and other economic ministers concerned to prepare issues and projects for official discussions with the Japanese side. Abe, who was recently elected as the Japanese prime minister for the second time, will be the first Japanese premier to pay an official visit to Thailand in 11 years since 2001. (TNA)