PM's trip to US will take place soon

BANGKOK, Aug 9 (TNA) -- A long-awaited meeting between Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the US President Donald Trump will eventually take place, says the Thai premier after talks with visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday. President Trump made an invitation to Gen Prayut during their phone conversation in April. But some delays and Gen Prayut’s own comments on Monday suggested that he might be banned to visit the US. Gen Prayut was reported as saying that some countries still maintained trade relations with Thailand, only he was banned from visiting them because he was the coup leader. After talking with Mr Tillerson at Government House on Tuesday Gen Prayut clarified that he might not be invited for a state visit to some countries because of some limitations but for international event such as the United Nations General Assembly he should be able to attend. Gen Prayut’s trip to the US was initially set for late July but the Thai government said it was postponed due to “unsettling mutual choices of date.” In the meeting with Mr Tillerson, Gen Prayut said the discussion touched on bilateral relations on trade and investment. Mr Tillerson’s Thailand visit followed the trip to Manila ASEAN ministerial meetings. Thailand and the US will celebrate their 200th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. (TNA)