The Prayut and Donald Show – official meeting at the White House

Prayut began by offering his condolences to Trump on the disasters caused by hurricanes hitting Texas and Puerto Rico towards which the Thai government and the private sector had sent humanitarian assistance. The PM said Thailand was ready to do more, according to the Thai Government House.

“The US president welcomed Prayut and his delegation while affirming development and continuation in trade relations, highlighting the wide potential of Thailand,” Government House said.

Prayut is leading a Thai delegation, mostly comprising economic officials, as part of a three-day visit to the US at the invitation of Trump.

The Thai government expects the visit to yield more opportunities for trade and investment under the Trump administration policy of benefit-based cooperation with foreign countries.

The US has been eager for dialogue with countries in East and Southeast Asia on rising regional tensions, particularly nuclear proliferation in the Korean peninsula.

Prayut is the third Asean member country leader to meet Trump after Vietnam’s Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Trump is also scheduled to attend the ASEAN Summit next month.

STORY: The Nation