Thai-American ties to be 'closest'

Thai-American ties to be 'closest'

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha waves as he arrives for a working dinner at the White House, Washington DC, in April last year. Gen Prayut was attending the Nuclear Security Summit in the US capital. The prime minister on Tuesday quoted US President Donald Trump as promising to strengthen bilateral ties to an unprecedented level. 
(Government House photo)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha waves as he arrives for a working dinner at the White House, Washington DC, in April last year. Gen Prayut was attending the Nuclear Security Summit in the US capital. The prime minister on Tuesday quoted US President Donald Trump as promising to strengthen bilateral ties to an unprecedented level. (Government House photo)

US President Donald Trump promised in his phone call that Thai-American ties would be unprecedentedly close and that he would visit Thailand, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday.

"Mr Trump told me that although ties between the two countries were slightly remote in the past, he assured that from now on the relations will grow unprecedentedly," Gen Prayut said, referring to their phone conversation Sunday night.

The prime minister said he asked the US president to support bilateral trade and investment and the president promised to see to trade expansion.

He would send his trade representatives to talk with the Thai government and accepted an invitation to visit Thailand when the time was right, Gen Prayut said.

"Mr Trump invited me to have discussions in the US. He also inquired about Thailand's relations with Japan and China... and mentioned security on the Korean Peninsula," the prime minister said.

"Mr Trump also said that he understood Thai people well because he had Thai friends. He is ready to help if help is needed."

Gen Prayut said he told Mr Trump Thailand was ready to cooperate with the US in all areas for the sake of regional security.

Mr Trump mentioned the 184-year ties of both countries and praised Thailand's progress and development in many areas under his tenure, Gen Prayut said.

The US president reportedly made phone calls to the leaders of the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand shortly after the 30th Asean Summit wrapped up in Manila on Saturday.

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said Gen Prayut told the cabinet on Tuesday that Mr Trump shared his views on issues concerning North Korea.

The prime minister asked if Mr Trump shared the views only with Thailand or with other countries. He learned that the views were shared with Asean members in a manner of seeking support, Mr Don said.

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