29 May 2012

Three world leaders visit Thailand

The government rolled out the red carpet for three prominent world leaders: Myanmar democracy icon and then opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, United States President Barack Obama, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, all of whom were on their first visits to Thailand.

Mrs Suu Kyi met Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her six-day visit from May 29-June 3. It was a high-profile visit since it marked her first trip outside Myanmar in 24 years and since her house arrest was lifted. The Nobel Peace laureate delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum on East Asia for which she received a standing ovation.

Thailand was also the first country US President Barack Obama chose to visit right after his re-election. The president swung by Thailand on November 18-19 before heading to Phnom Penh to attend the East Asia Summit. His packed schedule started with a short visit to Wat Pho, before having an audience with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great the same day.

Three days after President Obama’s visit, Chinese President Wen Jiabao, who also attended the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, made his first official visit to Thailand. The visit was likely to also be Mr Wen’s last one. He was due to step down from the job in March the following year, after ruling the country for 10 years. Before the back-to-back visits by leaders of two of the world’s superpowers, some observers raised concerns as to how Thailand would balance power games between the two giants eager to expand their influence in Asia.

29 May 2012

Three world leaders visit Thailand

The government rolled out the red carpet for three prominent world leaders: Myanmar democracy icon and then opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, United States President Barack Obama, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, all of whom were on their first visits to Thailand.

Mrs Suu Kyi met Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her six-day visit from May 29-June 3. It was a high-profile visit since it marked her first trip outside Myanmar in 24 years and since her house arrest was lifted. The Nobel Peace laureate delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum on East Asia for which she received a standing ovation.

Thailand was also the first country US President Barack Obama chose to visit right after his re-election. The president swung by Thailand on November 18-19 before heading to Phnom Penh to attend the East Asia Summit. His packed schedule started with a short visit to Wat Pho, before having an audience with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great the same day.

Three days after President Obama’s visit, Chinese President Wen Jiabao, who also attended the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, made his first official visit to Thailand. The visit was likely to also be Mr Wen’s last one. He was due to step down from the job in March the following year, after ruling the country for 10 years. Before the back-to-back visits by leaders of two of the world’s superpowers, some observers raised concerns as to how Thailand would balance power games between the two giants eager to expand their influence in Asia.