Obama 'likely' to visit Thailand in November

Obama 'likely' to visit Thailand in November

US President Barack Obama is expected to pay an official visit to Thailand in November during his trip to Bali to attend the East Asian Summit, government sources said.

Thailand extended an invitation for Mr Obama to visit the kingdom after he was inaugurated, which was about the same time that former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva took office.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been the highest-level Obama administration cabinet member to visit Thailand, in July 2009. President Obama telephoned Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday to congratulate her on her election as the country's first female prime minister, describing it as a sign of "success of the democratic process".
The US and Russia were admitted to the 18-nation East Asian Summit last year, but Mr Obama did not attend the leaders' meeting in Hanoi in October.
Thai officials have been waiting a long time for the US to confirm Mr Obama's visit. Now Mr Obama has confirmed his visit to Bali on Nov 19, Washington decided the political change in Thailand through a smooth electoral process should be commended, the sources said.