Prayut’s visit to US pencilled in for late July

By Wasamon Audjarint
The Nation

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s official visit to the United States is provisionally scheduled for late July, with potential discussion points covering economic matters, security, intellectual property, human trafficking and education cooperation, Deputy Government Spokesperson Lt-General Werachon Sukondhapatipak said on Tuesday.

 

Werachon was speaking after an internal document circulated by the Cabinet Secretariat said that Prayut had ordered the Commerce Ministry, Foreign Ministry and other agencies to prepare information for his visit.

 

Although the PM had issued the order during the Cabinet meeting last Tuesday, the press only learned about the matter on Friday, when the document was seen, as neither the premier nor the Government Spokesperson team had spoken about the matter after the meeting.

 

Werachon spoke briefly about the visit this Tuesday, adding that details such as what types of agreements would be signed and which officials would accompany the premier during his US trip had yet to be discussed.

 

He did not elaborate on the potential discussion points, but said that those concerning trade and investment would be held in a “cooperative” manner although Thailand remained among 16 countries under watch by Washington for their trade surpluses with the US.

 

While US President Donald Trump invited Prayut to visit via an introductory telephone call in April, the government needs to receive an official invitation from the White House before it can set an exact date for the visit, the deputy spokesperson said. 

 

“Still, we have to start preparing to proceed with everything in time for the PM’s visit,” he added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30317353

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-6-6

How about a discussion that would give American's living in Thailand, the same right that Thai's living in America get.  Like being able to buy property and own your own dam house for starters! 

 

Trump was being polite. Bet he has forgotten all about it by now. 

 

This is going to end in tears for the General.

 

He only invited Prayuth because he thought he was from Taiwan. Hope his pencil has a rubber on one end.

Thai junta chief to visit White House in July - spokesman

By Pracha Hariraksapitak

REUTERS

 

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha attends a news conference as the junta marked the third anniversary of a military coup in Bangkok, Thailand May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The leader of Thailand's military junta, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, will visit the White House in July following an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump, a spokesman for the Thai government said on Monday.

 

The United States suspended high-level strategic dialogue and downgraded joint military exercises after a coup, led by Prayuth, overthrew an elected civilian government in 2014.

 

The invitation to the former army chief could signal a step by the United States towards re-establishing normal diplomatic relations with Thailand, its oldest ally in Asia.

 

Washington has sought to rally cooperation among partners in Asia to pressure North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs, and to counter China's ambitions in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

 

Thai government spokesman Weerachon Sukondhapatipak told reporters that the talks would cover "trade, investment, commerce and security including security issues such as human trafficking."

 

He said the two governments were looking at fixing the visit for the end of July, but the dates had still to be confirmed.

 

Trump has reached out to other authoritarian leaders in the region including Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, whose war on drugs has killed thousands.

 

Rights groups fear Trump's "America First" policy will result in Washington soft pedalling on human rights issues, and the visit to Washington by the leader of the Thai coup is expected to draw criticism.

 

The United States is Thailand's third-largest bilateral trading partner, after Japan and China.

 

In 2015, total two-way trade was estimated at over $37 billion. The United States is also one of the largest investors inThailand, with over $11 billion in foreign direct investment in 2015.

 

Last year, the U.S. government rewarded the Thai government for improving anti-trafficking efforts with an upgrade in its annual report on human trafficking.

 

Thailand's agreement with Malaysia to build a wall to combat human trafficking across their porous border could strike a chord with Trump, who promised during his election campaign to build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico. So far few details have emerged on the proposed wall between the Southeast Asian neighbours.

 

(Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-06-07

I live pretty close to Trump's palace in Florida.  When the Chinese president recently came here, there was quite a stir with all the secret service guys, and motorcades and traffic blockages. If the guy goes to FL instead of Washington, I will try to get some photos.  They will be really exciting as the line of black cars drive by.

I live pretty close to Trump's palace in Florida.  When the Chinese president recently came here, there was quite a stir with all the secret service guys, and motorcades and traffic blockages. If the guy goes to FL instead of Washington, I will try to get some photos.  They will be really exciting as the line of black cars drive by.

Don't get out much do you?
:)

He must be kacking himself, he will probably do what he has been doing with the elections

The visit will be a tumultuous occasion for the people of America and the City of Washington. Prayut will be warmly received as the motorcade passes through the ticker-tape parade in his honour. 

All the UN Human Rights delegates will be right up front to show their appreciation for what he is doing for the people of Thailand.

Hope they make him put a tracking chip in his phone, show proof of medical insurance, charge him ten times the normal price for everything, block all of his favorite web sites, drug test him and rip him off on his jet ski rental.

2 hours ago, JAG said:

Don't get out much do you?
:)

<deleted>?  silly comment.  I guess you don't get sarcasm. 

Chance for the general to deposit some of his usd 20 mill plus fortune while still can. 

Since Trump has put out that he will go after North Korea at some point- he needs to make friends in SE Asia with as many as possible. Thailand is a natural ally in that the history of the countries go back to the 1800's. America needs use of Thai bases and ports should there be a war with North korea. 

I am guessing Thailand will purchase some military equipment to cut the trade deficit. I would also hope that America pushes Thailand to cut its huge taxes on American products such as food; auto's and life-saving drugs. Some of the things I have purchased in the US cost 5 times higher in Thailand. 

Trade concerns aside, I expect the two men will get along really well... just look at the other leaders Trump holds in esteem. I'm sure he's envious of Prayuth's management of the media (patting the heads of journos etc). And he's probably looking into whether he get can his own lese majeste law passed back in the US.