Gen Prawit visits US to boost ties

BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon visits the United States to boost bilateral ties. Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanit, spokesman of the Defense Ministry, said Gen Prawit paid the visit during April 21-27 and in the trip he already met US Secretary of Defense James Mattis who emphasizes cooperation with Thailand on regional security issues. The spokesman quoted Gen Mattis as saying that Thailand could play important roles in supporting regional stability and the US would cooperate with Thailand to guarantee the stability in compliance with the Free and Open Indo-Pacific policy of the US. Gen Mattis also attached importance to good ties between both countries and expected them to further grow. Gen Prawit confirmed that Thailand remained as a close partner with the US. He also expressed gratitude toward the US for its support for the Thai government’s efforts to organize the next general election and promote true democracy, Lt Gen Kongcheep said. (TNA)