Thai PM visits Germany, France

BANGKOK, July 17 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra leaves Bangkok on Tuesday for a visit to Germany and France, where she is to hold trade talks amid concerns about the ongoing European economic crisis. Her visit comes as the Thai government is taking steps to shield the Thai economy against any possible fallout from the crisis in Europe. Miss Yingluck says boosting trade with major trade partners Germany and France will be the key to avoiding economic recession in a time of uncertainty. The Thai premier will be accompanied by Thai businessmen in her trip from July 17 to 19, which will take her to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, where a ceremony will be held to mark 150 years of Thai-German relations. (TNA)