Clinton, Bush Snr to tour tsunami damage

PHUKET: US former presidents George HW Bush and Bill Clinton will arrive in Phuket on Saturday as part of a US presidential delegation to inspect tsunami-affected areas throughout Asia.

They will arrive at Phuket International Airport at 11:55 am, to be welcomed by Khunying Pojamarn Shinawatra, the wife of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Foreign Affairs Minister Surakiart Sathirathai.

The former heads of state will then be flown by helicopter to Takuapa District, in Phang Nga, where they will inspect the devastated village of Baan Nam Khem and progress on housing for tsunami victims, and fishing boat recovery projects taking place there.

During the afternoon, Mr Bush and Mr Clinton will view the damage caused by the tsunami along the Phang Nga coastline by helicopter before arriving back at Phuket International Airport at 3 pm.

At 5:35 pm, they will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance at the Mai Khao International Repatriation Center.

Prime Minister Thaksin will join Bush and Clinton for dinner at the Blue Canyon Country Club.

His guests will spend the night at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, before flying out of Phuket at 8 am on Sunday.