Thai PM makes first official visits to China, Brunei

BANGKOK, June 30 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is visiting China this week and is scheduled to go to Brunei to introduce himself and strengthen ties with both countries and cooperation after he took the post in February.

Mr. Samak, accompanied by Commerce and Deputy Prime Minister Mingkwan
Saengsuwan and Thai Army chief Anupong Paochinda left Bangkok for an
official visit to China June 30-July 3, and to continue to Brunei on July
3 and 4.

The Thai premier, concurrently defence minister, is scheduled to meet
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Chinese Defence
Minister Liang Guanglie and to visit the Olympics venue during his visit.

Prime Minister Samak had been due to visit China in mid-May but postponed
the trip when a massive earthquake hit China's southwest.

Two-way trade between China and Thailand jumped 23 percent to 31.1 billion
dollars between 2006 and 2007, and the two nations intend to expand their
trade volume to 50 billion dollars by 2010, the Thai foreign ministry
said.

The Thai leader will also be awarded an honorary professorship at Beijing
Language and Culture University.

Known for his fondness of visiting local markets in varied localities, Mr.
Samak will also visit a fruit market in Guangzhou and meet Guangdong
Governor Huang Huahua.

During his visit to Brunei Darussalam, the Thai Prime Minister will attend
a royal audience and dinner hosted by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam.

Mr. Samak will preside over an opening ceremony of the Thai Fair 2008 at
the Royal Thai Embassy. The Thai fair will be held for two weeks,
beginning July 4. (TNA)