Thailand, SKorea to expand cooperation in all areas

BANGKOK, January 17 (TNA) - South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kang Chang-hee is paying a five-day official to Thailand, scheduled for January 16-20, as the guest of the Thai Parliament, aimed to enhance bilateral relations between Seoul and Bangkok in all areas. Accompanied by his wife, the South Korean National Assembly Speaker was warmly welcome by Thai Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont, who is also Thai House Speaker, and other Thai parliamentarians and officials at the Parliament building in Bangkok on Thursday morning. According to the Thai Parliament President, this was the third meeting between he, himself, and the visiting South Korean National Assembly Speaker, reflecting a profound, cordially-sisters-like relationship between Seoul and Bangkok. The Thai Parliament President acknowledged that his South Korean counterpart's trip to Thailand this week is also a good opportunity for both sides to strengthen bilateral relations. In response, the visiting South Korean National Assembly Speaker said Seoul has regarded sound and long-time relations with Thailand since 1950, when Thai troops were sent to help South Korea in the Korean war, and expressed his hope that ties and cooperation between Thailand and South Korea will be further strengthened in all areas, including political, socio-cultural-economic spheres, to promote parallel development of both countries. (TNA)