Obama, PM to make live address

Modern Nine TV will telecast live a joint announcement by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra after the Thai and US delegations complete their negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a Cabinet member and a well-informed Government House source said yesterday.
The Government House source said that after Obama lands in Bangkok on Sunday at 3pm, he would first visit Wat Pho.
Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said yesterday – after a meeting to prepare for Obama’s visit – that the president would be granted an audience with His Majesty the King on Sunday at Siriraj Hospital at 5pm.
The source said Obama would arrive at Government House at 5.45pm.
Following the welcoming ceremony, Obama and Yingluck will head up delegations of both countries for discussions on various topics on cooperation and other regional issues. Yingluck will tell Obama that Thailand is willing to join a number of Washington-sponsored initiatives such as the TPP – a proposed regional free trade agreement being negotiated by the US and several Asia-Pacific nations. The Government House source said the US government would rent a mobile broadcast unit from Modern Nine TV to broadcast the joint press conference live back to the US. The Thai government would also relay the broadcast to Thai TV.
Following the ceremony at the Government House, Obama has asked for a private time to meet US Embassy officials and citizens at Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School. He will then check in at the Four Seasons Hotel on Wireless Road.
The source said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would arrive on Saturday and stay at the same hotel. She would meet Obama at Wat Pho on Sunday.
Pongthep said the government would ensure that security on roads in the vicinity of Government House during Obama’s visit will not cause too much trouble for commuters.
The Royal Thai Police will work together with the US President’s security team to ensure his safety at every spot Obama is scheduled to appear, he said.
Pongthep said the government had not been informed of any anti-US groups rallying against the US during Obama’s visit.
“We will do our best to welcome President Obama with the highest honour as the leader of a country that has enjoyed a long-lasting friendship with Thailand,” he said.
Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said the Army has not been asked to help the Royal Thai Police in maintaining security for Obama during his stay in Thailand. He said the police might later approach the Army if they were short of staff, adding that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung was in overall charge of security.
All venues Obama will visit, including Siriraj Hospital and Government House, and the streets he will travel through will be under close watch, Metropolitan Police chief Kamronwit Thoopkrachang said.
US security officers will also tail the president by land, as well as by air with a helicopter.