Prime Minister Abhisit to attend World Economic Forum on East Asia in Vietnam

BANGKOK, June 5 (TNA) – Prime Minister Abhsit Vejjajiva will attend the World Economic Forum East Asia in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Sunday, his first foreign trip since last month’s bloody political violence in Bangkok, aiming to restore confidence among foreign investors and tourists, according to Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Dr Panitan, also acting government spokesman, said it will be the first time that the prime minister will have travelled outside Thailand since the anti-government incidents that took place in recent months.

During this trip, the premier will meet with fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and give interviews to the press to explain Thailand’s political situation and related events, as well as meeting with top CEOs attending the meeting. The purpose is to return investor confidence to the country.

Mr Abhisit said that the forum provides a good opportunity to meet world leaders and exchange information on the situation in the region.

The ASEAN chief earlier issued a statement that the organisation supported Thailand and is ready to help defuse the situation without interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

Mr Abhisit said it is also an appropriate time to clarify events in Thailand with ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, particularly regarding the political and economic situation.

The premier said he would tell the world leaders attending the forum about the policy and plans of the government to revive the economy after the protest.

The topic of this year’s meeting is “Rethinking Asia’s Leadership Agenda”. Discussions will include the need for a regional and global mechanism for cooperation and management. This is due to the fact that the international community is currently faced with many challenges that threaten the revival of the global economy, such as climate change, ineffective management of global issues and trade barriers.

The Southeast Asian region plays a vital role in addressing these challenges and ASEAN has a central role in intra-regional and inter-regional cooperation because it is developing into a community, has a dynamic economy, and has established networks with major economies in the region. Approximately 400 leaders from the government, business and academic sectors, as well as press, will attend the meeting.

On June 6, Mr Abhisit and President of the Thai Trade Representatives Kiat Sittheeamorn, Vice Minister to the Prime Minsiter’s office Isra Sunthornvut,  Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) Amphon Kittiamphon and Dr Panitan will leave from the Army Transportation terminal by an Embraer aircraft.

At noon, the prime minister will meet with Dr Supachai Panichpakdi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and ASEAN chief Dr Surin.

In the afternoon Mr Abhisit is scheduled to join the working luncheon on “Making the Mekong: Regional Growth and Leadership” with the prime ministers of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. The discussions will focus on the role of various sectors in pushing forward the growth of the Mekong sub-region, and on creating a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.

Afterwards, Mr Abhisit will meet bilaterally with the prime minister of Vietnam to discuss developments in Thailand and implementation of various ASEAN activities.

The premier is scheduled to join the “Special Update Session on Thailand: Conversation with Prime Minister Abhisit”, which Dr Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Director of the World Economic Forum, will moderate.

The program includes a discussion with Mr Abhisit on the future of Thailand in the wake of recent political events. The participants will include top ranking business leaders from around the world.

Mr Abhisit will also meet with government leaders from Thailand’s important trade and investment partners, as well as foreign media, to explain the situation, while creating understanding and confidence regarding Thailand. (TNA)