Gulf | Bahrain
Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to visit Bahrain
PM's mission in Bahrain is to improve economic ties and show harmony with Islamic world
- By Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief
- Published: 18:59 March 26, 2010
- Image Credit: AP
- Supporters of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at a recent rally in Bangkok. They hurled plastic bags filled with their blood into the residential compound of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, hoping their shock tactics would bring down his government
Manama: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will arrive in Bahrain on Tuesday on a two-day working visit.
According to reports, Vejjajiva said his mission in Bahrain was to improve economic ties and show harmony with the Islamic world, as Thailand struggles to handle a six-year separatist insurgency in its largely Muslim southern provinces.
Abhisit, his country’s 27th prime minister, is scheduled to meet King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa and Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa to discuss ways to strengthen economic relations and follow up the setting up of a Thai product distribution centre in Bahrain.
Vejjajiva, 45, plans to meet Bahraini businessmen and to explain the ongoing situation in Thailand to Thai citizens.
Prior to flying to Bahrain, Vejjajiva will visit Brunei.
He said he decided to proceed with the foreign tour as "both the countries are important and a visit to Brunei is long due."
However, he said that he would be monitoring the "situation" at the weekend, when anti-government protesters would stage a rally in the capital Bangkok.
Abhisit has indefinitely postponed his visit to Australia and New Zealand planned for March 13-17 because of the anti-government rally by the red-shirts, Thai media said.
News Editor's choice
-
Impounded cars may be sold off
Abu Dhabi Municipality warns motorists who have abandoned cars in the emirate
-
Parents to control how children use their phones
Move will help protect youngsters from pornography and bullying
-
Rare eclipse crosses Asia
"Ring of fire" is seen by millions in Asia and parts of America
