Prayut not in a hurry to head abroad
Foreign trips by Thai leaders are important and are widely watched by the international community but Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he will not waste the national budget on unnecessary visits abroad.
Thai premiers usually head overseas to introduce themselves internationally shortly after taking office but Prayuth is yet to do so.
It is widely expected Prayuth will visit Myanmar first in early October but the date has not been fixed yet.
Many countries in the region, notably Asean members, have extended an invitation for the new prime minister to visit.
Prayuth thanked the countries, saying the invitations reflected Thailand’s importance.
He was speaking Friday night in his weekly TV programme, Return Happiness to Thai People, that was broadcast on all stations.
He said he was aware that many people wanted to find out when he would head overseas but he was still considering the matter.
Given what was happening in the country, it might not be the right time for international visits, he said.
"Therefore, foreign visits must be substantive, of real benefit and worthy of the people’s taxes," he said.
Prayuth said he was considering attending regional and international meetings such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in China and Asean summits in Myanmar, which would give him the opportunity to introduce himself to a host of foreign leaders.
The Nation
