PM to visit Myanmar and New York next month

September looks set to be a busy month for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is due to visit Myanmar, the United States and possibly Britain.

On September 13, Yingluck and her entourage will head to Nay Pyi Taw to follow up on the deep-sea port at Dawei and other bilateral agreements.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said yesterday the prime minister would have a two-day official visit to Myanmar to see President Thein Sein in the new capital to follow up on three bilateral pacts signed during the president's visit to Bangkok in July.

Joint development of the Dawei deep-sea port, and the plan to link the project to Thailand's Laem Chabang port would be a key topic of discussion, Surapong said.

The three memorandums of understanding had reaffirmed the two countries' cooperation on the project, which would be key to the development of southern Myanmar and links with Thailand's Eastern Seaboard.

The MoUs, particularly the one on Dawei, have sent strong signals to foreign investors that the two governments are committed to developing the strategic economic corridor, which will help boost this impoverished region in Myanmar.

Yingluck is also expected to head to the United States on September 23 for a five-day visit. She is due to deliver a speech on women's rights at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 25 at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. This speech will be on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting, which officially starts on September 18.

The premier is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the General Assembly meeting on September 27, as well as meet with leaders of other countries to boost relations and cooperation.

The Board of Investment will host a business luncheon, chaired by Deputy PM Kittiratt Na-Ranong and Industry Minister Pongsvas Svasti, with US businessmen to help retain confidence in Thailand.

Surapong said the Thai and British governments were also working on a plan for Yingluck to visit London. He said the PM would prefer to visit London on her way to New York, but if that wasn't possible the trip may have to be postponed till a later date.