Thai premier Abhisit plans visit to Japan Feb. 5-7

BANGKOK, Jan. 19 Kyodo -
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva plans to visit Japan in early February to
promote investment and tourism in Thailand, a government official said Monday.
Panitan Wattanayakorn, a senior aide to the prime minister, said the Feb. 5-7
visit is aimed at restoring confidence among Japanese investors and tourists.
Abhisit is also scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso during the
trip. The two governments are working on the agenda of the meeting and the
details of the trip, diplomatic sources said.
Abhisit, leader of the Democrat Party, came to power Dec. 15 following the
collapse of the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat after months of
political turmoil.
The political unrest, which culminated in the seizure of Bangkok's key airports
by antigovernment protesters, had a heavy impact on the Thai economy along with
the global financial crisis.
Japan is Thailand's biggest investor.
==Kyodo