PM to visit Vietnam on 10 July

BANGKOK, 2 July 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to pay a one-day official visit to Vietnam on 10 July 2009 in order to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation on rice trading.

Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Panithan Wattanayakorn stated that Prime Minister Abhisit, along with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and entourage, will travel to Vietnam to meet the country’s president, prime minister as well as the secretary-general of the Communist Party of Vietnam in an effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Dr Panithan informed that this round of visit will be aimed at fostering bilateral tie and cooperation with Vietnam on various issues including trade, investment, tourism, and transport. He said an emphasis will be placed on rice trading and a joint establishment of a regional rice stock as Thailand and Vietnam were the top two rice exporters of the world. With the Strong Thailand scheme, roads and railways connecting China, Vietnam, and Cambodia will be further extended to Thailand, which will in turn facilitate rice transportation and trade.

The Thai Prime Minister and his working team will depart for Vietnam from the Royal Thai Air Force terminal at 12 pm on 10 July and return at 10.55 pm on the same day.