PM to kick off foreign tour in Singapore and China

Singapore is Abhisit's next Asean destination, with an official trip starting next Monday, after which he will visit China from next Wednesday until June 27.

Panithan Wattanayakorn, the acting deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said Abhisit, who will complete his first six months in office later this month, would then visit Vietnam from July 10-11, followed by trips to Burma, the Philippines and Brunei.

After the Asean tour is completed, he is scheduled to fly to Europe, the Middle East and North America.

During his one-day official visit to Singapore next Monday, the prime minister will pay his respects to Singaporean president SR Nathan and have a discussion with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

There will also be discussion sessions with businessmen and financiers in the island-state before a dinner with leaders in the manufacturing and services sectors, as well as representatives from multinational companies, at which Abhisit will seek to restore confidence in the Kingdom and encourage more bilateral trade and investment.

"The highlight of this trip is to boost trade and economic ties, particularly the invitation to Singaporean investors to join infrastructure investment in Thailand, cooperation to tackle the economic crisis and discussion on political stability.

"The prime minister will inform Singapore of Thailand's policies in addressing political turbulence and the violence in the deep South. There will also be a discussion on regional cooperation under the Asean framework," Panithan said.

Abhisit will then be in China to meet President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in Beijing.

Accompanied by more than 100 officials and representatives from the business sector, he will help promote Thailand's agricultural exports to China, as well as tourism and investment.

During the trip, he will sign an agreement on expanding and deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation, as well as a pact on educational cooperation.

Among those representing the private sector on the Chinese visit are the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Bankers' Association and Thai-Chinese business associations.

A Thai-Chinese business seminar is scheduled in Guangzhou, where the prime minister will deliver a speech aimed at winning back Chinese tourists and expanding the market for Thai fruit.

Regional security issues involving Burma, North Korea, Tibet and Taiwan will also be on the discussion table.