Thai PM visits Laos, Vietnam today through Friday
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today starts three-day official visit to Laos and Vietnam to boost relations with both countries.
A government spokesman said Laos and Vietnam were the third and the fourth Asean countries that Gen Prayut has visited following Myanmar and Cambodia after assuming his premiership.
The visits reflects Thailand's attachment of importance to promoting close ties with neighboring countries and cooperation in the Asean grouping.
The prime minister is pushing for progress in existing and future cooperation projects with the countries.
In Vientiane, Gen Prayut is scheduled to meet Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and witness the signing of agreements on development project for Bokeo hospital; scientific, technological and innovative cooperation. A grant for a road project from Hongsa to Chomphet district of Luang Prabang province will also be signed.
Gen Prayut is also scheduled to meet the Lao National Assembly president and the Thai business community there.
Prayut will leave for Vietnam tomorrow, where he will meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, Vietnamese National Assembly President Nguyen Sinh Hung and Ta Quang Ngoc, president of the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association.
They will discuss cooperation on trade and investment, especially concerning farm products such as rice and natural rubber as well as roads between the two countries via Laos and Cambodia and the promotion of coastal transport.
On the occasion, the two countries will sign agreements on cultural exchange and the promotion of sister city relationship between Chachoengsao province and the Vietnamese city of Can Tho. The Thai premier will return home on Friday.
