PM Surayud On Official Visit To Japan

[Jai Dee]

PM on official visit to Japan

The Prime Minister will be conducting an official visit to Japan to sign the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement and to clarify Thailand's current situation.

Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanon is scheduled to visit Japan from April 2-5 to strengthen 120 years of bilateral relations between Thailand and Japan. Gen Surayud will be using the opportunity to boost the confidence of Japanese officials on Thailand's political situation and economic policy. Tokai University will be presenting the Prime Minister with an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Engineering on the occasion of his visit.

The Prime Minister will also be signing and concluding the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA), which was initiated by the previous administration in February 2004. Officials expect that JTEPA will be implemented in the latter half of the year. The Thai private sector show signs of interest in the signing of JTEPA due to anticipation that Thai goods and services will achieve a stronger presence in the Japanese market when the agreement is implemented.

Thai businesses have expressed concern over the detrimental effects JTEPA may pose on intellectual property rights, public health, investment protection, and the environment. Members of the private sector asked that JTEPA be postponed for 6 months so that the Thai government may consider these issues.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

PM visits Japan to strengthen bilateral ties and boost confidence of investors

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont will pay an official visit to Japan to strengthen the bilateral ties between both countries as well as to make Japanese investors more confident in the Thai economy and the Thai government’s policy.

Prime Minister Surayud is scheduled to travel to Japan between April 2nd and 5th. During his visit, the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, or JTEPA, will be signed. The Prime Minister and his entourage left Thailand at around 9 AM today, heading to Narita Airport by using Airbus 310 – 300 of the Royal Thai Air Force. The Prime Minister will also receive an honorary degree from Tokai University of Japan during this trip.

Gen. Surayud’s first mission in Japan is to preside over the annual tourism fair of Thailand. On April 5th, the group of Thai officials will receive an audience with the Emperor of Japan at the Imperial Palace.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 April 2007