Thai new PM to visit Philippines on Monday

Thailand's new Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont will visit the Philippines on Monday, Press Secretary of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said on Saturday.

President Arroyo will convey the Philippines' desire for Thailand to return to democracy as soon as possible when Chulanont pays the visit here, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye told a press briefing at Malacanang Presidential Palace.

Bunye said that Surayud would be in Manila for a very short time but would have a bilateral talk with Arroyo before the dinner at Malacanang.

"You can be sure that the President will express the desire of many countries for restoration of political normalcy in Thailand expeditiously," Bunye said.

Some other issues to enhance the bilateral relations would also be discussed by the two leaders, Bunye said.

He added that the Philippines' relationship with Thailand had been traditionally strong.

Surayud was expected to arrive here at around 4 p.m. Monday from Indonesia. He also visited Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia for the traditional familiarization tour of new heads of states and governments of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The Thai government said the purpose of Surayud's visit was to improve understanding on his government's role and function during his one-year term and strengthen ties with the neighboring countries.

Surayud was chosen by the leaders of last month's coup d'etat in Thailand. The Thai king approved the appointment of the army commander general and also endorsed an interim constitution giving the military in Thailand considerable powers.

The Thai military staged a bloodless coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept. 19.

Source: Xinhua