(14/11/2012)
 Thailand
and the United States will sign the 2012 Joint Vision Statement for the
Thai-US Defense Alliance. Preparations are also underway for the visit
of newly re-elected President Barack Obama to Thailand. The Cabinet, during its meeting on 12 November 2012, assigned the Ministry of Defense to work out the joint vision statement. The Minister of Defense will represent the Thai government in signing the document. The Cabinet was told that the joint vision statement would focus on the strategic partnership between the two countries, which is meant to strengthen security in Southeast Asia, enhance stability in the Asia-Pacific region, develop capacity-building in joint operations at both bilateral and multilateral levels, and promote relations and cooperation at all levels. Thailand and the United States have underscored the importance of strengthening the alliance as a true 21st century partnership that aims to promote a peaceful, secure, and prosperous region and contribute to global stability. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will visit Thailand on 15-16 November and sign the Joint Vision Statement for the Thai-U.S. Defense Alliance with Defense Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat. In the defense strategy talks between Thailand and the United States in October 2012, both sides reaffirmed the importance of bilateral and multilateral Interoperability and readiness, especially through world-class military exercises, sales of defense equipment and services, and continuing military education and exchange programs. They also undertook to continue work on defense modernization to sustain high levels of interoperability, which would allow for advanced Thai-US operations and exercises. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama will travel to Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia from 17 to 20 November. He will pay an official visit to Thailand on 18-19 November. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit Cambodia on 17-20 November for the ASEAN Summit. However, after attending the opening ceremony of the summit on the morning of 18 November, the Prime Minister will return to Bangkok to personally welcome President Obama. After that, she will go back to Phnom Penh for the ASEAN Summit and related meetings, hosted by Cambodia on 18-20 November at the Peace Palace. The visit of the President of the United States to Thailand marks 180 years of diplomatic relations and reaffirms the strength of the Thai-US alliance. On this occasion, His Majesty the King will grant an audience to President Obama on 18 November at 5:00 p.m. at Siriraj Hospital, followed by a meeting between Prime Minister Yingluck and the US President at Government House. Mr. Obama will visit Myanmar before flying to Cambodia for the ASEAN Summit and related meetings and to meet the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. During his interactions in the region, he will discuss a broad range of issues, including economic prosperity and job creation through increased trade and partnerships, energy and security cooperation, human rights, shared values, and other issues of regional and global concern. |
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