Thai PM to visit Gulf states

BANGKOK, May 11 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to pay official visits to Bahrain and Qatar next week, from May 13-16, aimed mainly to enhance business ties and cooperation between Thailand and the two Gulf states. Accompanied by her entourage, including more than 50 business operators representing the Thai private sector, Yingluck will first fly to Bahrain, where she will be honourably welcomed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa upon her arrival in Manama, Bahrain's capital, on Sunday, after which she will join Bahrain's royal family for a dinner reception. During her three-day visit to Bahrain, the Thai premier will also meet her Bahrain's counterpart, Prince Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on May 14 to jointly witness the signing of a tourism cooperation pact between Thailand and Bahrain and to thank Bahrain for support of the Thai government's attempts to resolve problems in Thailand's insurgency-plagued southern border region. The Thai leader will also visit Bahrain navy's headquarters on May 15, before flying to Qatar, a moderate Muslim nation, where she is scheduled to meet with Qatar's Cabinet, witness the signing of a cooperation agreement between Thailand and Qatar and explore more rooms for bilateral cooperation in all areas between Bangkok and Doha. Premier Yingluck will return to Bangkok next Wednesday, ending her landmark trips to the two key member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). (TNA)