Thaksin to meet Malaysian PM in Phuket
PHUKET: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will hold his annual meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket next Wednesday.
Yesterday, Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura called a meeting with the heads of government departments in Phuket to prepare for the mini-summit, during which cabinet ministers from both sides will also meet for talks.
The governor told the Gazette that PM Thaksin will arrive at Phuket International Airport at 4 pm on Wednesday, and PM Badawi will fly in an hour later. They will then go to the Sheraton.
Issues to be discussed will include the strengthening of relationships between the two countries, cross-border issues, immigration rules and ways to link the Thai smart ID card with the Malaysian Immigration computer system.
On Thursday the two prime ministers will play golf at Blue Canyon Country Club and have lunch there.
They will then fly to Narathiwat Province to sign an agreement on the building of a new bridge over the Buketta River in Weng District. This is a joint venture between Thailand and Malaysia, each country contributing half the construction budget of 60 million baht.
Governor Udomsak said that strict security measures will be put in place and police officers from Bangkok will working in close cooperation with police from Phuket to ensure the safety of the two leaders.
