BANGKOK, Jan 17 – Thai Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra will make a one-day official visit to the Philippines on Thursday, her eighth overseas trip to the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since she took office last August, Government Spokesperson Thitima Chaisaeng said on Tuesday.
The spokeswoman said the Manila visit is aimed at introducing the Thai premier to the ASEAN country member and boosting bilateral ties between the two countries.
Ms Thitima disclosed the information after Ms Yingluck chaired a preparatory meeting for her upcoming trip to the ASEAN co-founder, in which she expects to notify Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during bilateral talks that the situation in Thailand has now returned to normal after the country’s recent worst flooding in decades.
Ms Yingluck will also discuss and explore further trade opportunities with the Philippine leader. Thailand will also demonstrate its readiness to sell rice to the island nation
Ms Thitima said the premier advised that Thailand should propose to the Philippines to set up Rice Reserve regarding food security so that the country could consider buying more rice from Thailand.
Also on the agenda are the expansion of cooperation in particular education and alternative energy, the government spokesperson said.
The Thai premier is scheduled to leave Suvarnabhumi International Airport Thursday morning and will be officially welcomed at Malacañan Palace by the Philippine president.
The two leaders will hold bilateral talks, both private and with the full delegation, before attending luncheon hosted by the Philippine president.
Ms Yingluck is scheduled to return to the kingdom at 4.45pm Thursday.
