Surayud invited to Davos summit in Jan
The World Economic Forum (WEF), the Geneva-based foundation which hosts the annual meeting of top businessmen and world leaders, has invited Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to join its annual meeting early next year.
Klaus Schwab, WEF founder and executive chairman, sent a letter, dated November 21, inviting Surayud to be one of the discussion partners in Davos, Switzerland. Schwab said in the letter that the invitation was based on the recommendation of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's secretary-general Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi. "I am writing at the suggestion of Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi following your recent conversation with him at the Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting in Hanoi." Early this month, Supachai requested a meeting with Surayud on the sidelines of the Apec meeting in Hanoi, during which Supachai offered to arrange the meeting between Surayud and European decision-makers and business leaders at the forum, where Surayud could clarify the political issues in Thailand. Surayud used the Apec Summit forum to discuss the political situation in Thailand with leaders from Asia-Pacific countries, including US President George W Bush. The European Union, however, still holds deep reservations about the legitimacy of the Surayud government, installed by the military after the September 19 military coup. The WEF annual meeting will be held from January 24 to 28. Schwab invited Surayud to join leaders from Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia during a session on Southeast Asia on January 26. The WEF meeting will also highlight the 40th anniversary of Asean. Supachai was among the candidates tipped to become prime minister.
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