Thai PM says visit to UK successful

BANGKOK, November 17 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has hailed her official visit to the United Kingdom from November 12-15, noting that several UK projects she observed could be adopted and implemented in Thailand. Speaking during her weekly television and radio address, Yingluck said she also had an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace in London, during which the UK Queen asked her about the health of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand; while she extended her wishes, on behalf of the Thai government and the Thai people, for the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, her Diamond Jubilee. Yingluck revealed that during her four-day official trip to London, she also had an opportunity to observe a high speed domestic train service at St. Pancras Station in London and a flood prevention barrier along the Thames River, acknowledging that both projects could be adapted and implemented in Thailand. According to the Thai premier, she had visited UK-based Tesco department store as well in an attempt to explore ways to display and sell more Thai agricultural products there. On discussions with her UK counterpart David Cameron, the Thai prime minister told the public that she had conferred with him on ways to widen bilateral trade and investment, possible development of English language teaching in Thailand and measures to facilitate the issuance of Thai visa and security to UK tourists in Thailand. Touching on upcoming official visits by US President Barack Obama and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to Thailand next week, the Thai premier said she would focus on ways on strengthening security in the region, as every country wants to see development and economic stability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (TNA)