Thein Sein to make Thai state visit: Myanmar

06 Jul, 2012

The reform-minded leader will arrive for a three-day visit to neighbouring Thailand on July 22, more than seven weeks after postponing an appearance at a forum of business leaders in Bangkok, where Aung San Suu Kyi stole the show.

"President Thein Sein will definitely visit Bangkok between July 22 and 24 and we will hold meetings to prepare to welcome him later today," Yutthasak Sasiprapa, one of the Thailand's deputy prime ministers told reporters.

Thein Sein was initially due to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia held in Bangkok in late May, but rescheduled the visit for June 4, sending his Minister for Energy instead.

He ended up postponing the trip again, citing "unfavorable conditions", but without elaborating.

Democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi was the star attraction at the two-day forum on her first trip outside of Myanmar since 1988.

Addressing the forum she urged "healthy scepticism" over Myanmar's dramatic reforms, saying only the rule of law could cement recent political progress and foster clean investment.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2012

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