Two former US presidents, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, arrived in Thailand's southern resort province of Phuket Saturday morning to inspect areas which were devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunamis and to confer with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reported the Thai News Agency.

The two former US presidents arrived in Phuket at 11.55 AM via a special flight. They later traveled by a helicopter to inspect damages at Baan Nam Kem in the nearby Phang-nga Province.

Bush and Clinton are scheduled, during their Feb. 19-20 visit, to express their condolences to tsunami victims on behalf of the US government and people, and to express their appreciation to the Thai government and people for their assistance rendered to foreign nationals affected by the tsunamis.

They will travel to the Mai Khao Cemetery in the evening to pay respect to those who had perished in the tsunami disaster before meeting with Thaksin to discuss issues of mutual interests.

Following the massive waves attack, US President Bush asked the two former US top leaders to lead efforts to help raise funds for tsunami relief.

Clinton was also appointed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as his special envoy for the tsunami-affected countries.

The two former US presidents will assess damages caused by the disaster and explore opportunities for cooperation with the Thai kingdom in the latter's rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

The tsunami disaster ravaged Thailand's six southern Andaman provinces -- Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang, Ranong and Satun -- and many other countries in Asia and Africa, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Somalia and Madacascar, leaving over 200,000 victims dead, and tens of thousands of others injured or missing.

In Thailand alone, the official death toll reached over 5,300, while those who were injured and missing have been recorded at over 8,400 and over 3,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, security in Phuket has been tightened for the two former US leaders during their stay in the kingdom.

After Thailand, the two former US top leaders are scheduled to visit Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives for the similar missions.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2005)