DPM:Abe's visit is good for Thailand, ASEAN

BANGKOK, January 17 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na Ranong says that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official visit to Thailand, scheduled for January 17-18, represents an honour and a good opportunity for the Thai Kingdom and reflects the significance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Japan's perspective. Kittirat told journalists on Thursday that Abe's ongoing trip to Bangkok serves as an opportunity for Thailand to exchange information and views on trade and investment with Japan. The deputy premier acknowledged that the Thai government is paying attention to the Japanese leader's opinions, as Japan is the top investor and a long time trading partner of Thailand, along with sound bilateral relations between Bangkok and Tokyo. The deputy prime minister affirmed, however, that Thailand will keep treating investors from all allied countries worldwide equally. (TNA)