Arrival Honors for His Excellency Abhisit Vejjajiva PM of the Kingdom of Thailand

Bahay Pangarap, Malacañan August 14, 2009 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cordially welcomed the Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva through an arrival honors ceremony at Bahay Pangarap in Malacañan. This is the first official visit to the Philippines of Prime Minister Vejjajiva since he was elected as Thailands PM last year. He visited the country for the purpose of continuing Thailands bilateral relationship with the Philippines. Both countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Thailand will be hosting this years 15th ASEAN Summit in October. After the arrival honors ceremony, the Prime Minister signed in the guestbook and this was followed by an expanded bilateral meeting with President Arroyo. Topics on trade and investment were discussed during the meeting. Prime Minister Vejjajiva is expected to leave the country later this evening after the official dinner hosted by President Arroyo at the Malacañan Palace.