Bangkok--Mar 21--MFA
On 19 March 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama arrived in Washington, DC on his visit to the United States at the invitation of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. His visit was timed to coincide with celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Thailand and the United States, which date back to 20 March 1833 when both countries signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce.
On his first day in Washington, DC, the Foreign Minister was guest of honour at a business roundtable organized by the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC). The event was well attended by high-level representatives of American businesses operating in Thailand as well as business associations, including Chevron, Coca-Cola, Guardian Industries, Microsoft, Ford, Merck and the AIG. In his opening remarks, the Foreign Minister reassured the meeting that Thailand was again politically stable following the general election held in December 2007 and the return of a democratically elected government last month. He also outlined the Thai Government’s economic policies aimed at stimulating the domestic economy, including planned investments in mega-projects. He also underscored the Government’s pro-business policies aimed at creating a favourable climate for investment, both for domestic and foreign investors. In this connection, the Minister invited US businesses to attend the Business Summit on Thailand-US Partnership Success Stories, to be held in Bangkok during 28-29 April 2008 and part of the celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations.
Following the business roundtable, the Foreign Minister was guest of honour at the commemorative reception on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations. Other guests include Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Senator Jim Webb and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific Christopher Hill, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, business community and local think tanks. In his remarks, Foreign Minister Noppadon thanked the US Congress for adopting resolutions commemorating this historic event as well as commemorating the 80th birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King of Thailand.
The Foreign Minister also stressed that Thailand was a long-standing friend and ally of the US and that Thailand was committed to strengthening this friendship and to promoting closer cooperation between them in all areas. The Minister cited the annual Cobra Gold exercise as one of many showcases of the security cooperation between the two countries which has become an important part of regional security cooperation. Thailand and the US have also been cooperating closely on important transnational issues, such as counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, and combating trafficking in drugs, humans, and arms. He also expressed the hope that President Bush would be able to visit Thailand later this year following Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s invitation to the President when the latter called to congratulate the Prime Minister upon his appointment last month.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
On 19 March 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama arrived in Washington, DC on his visit to the United States at the invitation of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. His visit was timed to coincide with celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Thailand and the United States, which date back to 20 March 1833 when both countries signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce.
On his first day in Washington, DC, the Foreign Minister was guest of honour at a business roundtable organized by the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC). The event was well attended by high-level representatives of American businesses operating in Thailand as well as business associations, including Chevron, Coca-Cola, Guardian Industries, Microsoft, Ford, Merck and the AIG. In his opening remarks, the Foreign Minister reassured the meeting that Thailand was again politically stable following the general election held in December 2007 and the return of a democratically elected government last month. He also outlined the Thai Government’s economic policies aimed at stimulating the domestic economy, including planned investments in mega-projects. He also underscored the Government’s pro-business policies aimed at creating a favourable climate for investment, both for domestic and foreign investors. In this connection, the Minister invited US businesses to attend the Business Summit on Thailand-US Partnership Success Stories, to be held in Bangkok during 28-29 April 2008 and part of the celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations.
Following the business roundtable, the Foreign Minister was guest of honour at the commemorative reception on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations. Other guests include Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Senator Jim Webb and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific Christopher Hill, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, business community and local think tanks. In his remarks, Foreign Minister Noppadon thanked the US Congress for adopting resolutions commemorating this historic event as well as commemorating the 80th birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King of Thailand.
The Foreign Minister also stressed that Thailand was a long-standing friend and ally of the US and that Thailand was committed to strengthening this friendship and to promoting closer cooperation between them in all areas. The Minister cited the annual Cobra Gold exercise as one of many showcases of the security cooperation between the two countries which has become an important part of regional security cooperation. Thailand and the US have also been cooperating closely on important transnational issues, such as counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, and combating trafficking in drugs, humans, and arms. He also expressed the hope that President Bush would be able to visit Thailand later this year following Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s invitation to the President when the latter called to congratulate the Prime Minister upon his appointment last month.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-