Thai PM visits Singapore to discuss economic cooperation

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva left Bangkok for one-day official visit to Singapore to strengthen relations between both countries, and boost economic cooperation in terms of trade and investment.

The prime minister and his entourage including Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya left the Royal Thai Air Force base at Don Meuang by a special Thai Army aircraft flight this morning to visit Singapore on a trip also aimed at familiarising Mr. Abhisit with Singapore government leaders and to accelerate pending cooperation between the two countries as well as promoting trade, investment and labour activities.

It is the prime minister’s first trip since becoming premier in December.

During the one-day visit, Mr.Abhisit is scheduled to hold talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and pay a courtesy call on President S.R. Nathan.

He would also meet Minister Mentor and former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and discuss with business sector leaders including the Morgan Stanley Institute Management, Temasek Group and Prudential Asset Management.

Mr. Abhisit earlier expressed confidence that Singapore will use the occasion to explore the opportunity to join Thailand in economic cooperation activities because its economy has also contracted sharply due to the global economic slump, while Thailand seeks joint Singapore investment with the kingdom.

Joint investment would benefit both countries as Thailand plans to invest heavily in major infrastructure projects and will also ask the island nation to cooperate more in the field of education, he said.

The prime minister was expected to brief Singaporean leaders about Thailand's policy in dealing with the insurgent attacks in the southern provinces.

Regional cooperation under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) framework is also on the agenda. (TNA)