U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Thailand next week, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) quoted U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt M. Campbell as saying on Friday.

Speaking after a meeting with Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Campbell disclosed that the U.S. President is scheduled to visit Asia and the Pacific region, including Thailand, next week.

He has affirmed the tight ties between Thailand and the United States, saying that the United States is ready to fully support Thailand.

The U.S. official has admitted that this is a difficult time for Thailand, while he wished the situation will soon return to normal, according to the NNT.

He has also called for non-violence and restraint and hoped to see Thai politics develop according to the constitutional practice.

As an official in charge of the East Asian and Pacific affairs, Campbell has also planned to meet with Thailand's major opposition Puea Thai Party's leader afterwards.

Accompanying Campbell during the call on the Thai Prime Minister was Mr. Eric G. John, the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand.

The announcement of the visit of the U.S. leader was made amid the ongoing anti-government rally in Thailand's capital Bangkok.

Thailand's weekly cabinet Tuesday decided to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) law during March 11-23 to ensure law and order in the mass rally by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group and from late Wednesday night security men have been deployed to ensure security.

The ISA imposition has taken effect in the whole area of capital Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which is next to Bangkok.

Also, the ISA law is implemented in some 21 districts of six other provinces nearby Bangkok, including Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya.

Totally, under the ISA law's enforcement, there are 50,000 security men, who will maintain security during the mass rally.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments