The Prime Minister attends ASEAN7+US Lunch The Prime Minister visits Wat Buddharangsee in Annandale USAPBC pays a courtesy call on the Prime Minister

On 7 September 2007, General Surayud Chulanont, Prime Minister of Thailand, arrived in Sydney to participate in the 15th APEC Leaders Meeting hosted by Australia between 8-9 September 2007.

Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Mr. Nitya Pibulsonggram, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Krirk-krai Jirapaet, Minister of Commerce, to attend ASEAN7+US Lunch hosted by US President George W. Bush at the Intercontinental Hotel.  Other participants included six leaders from ASEAN countries which are APEC members (Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam).  The working lunch provided the opportunity for the participating leaders to discuss issues related to ASEAN-US relationship and others.  In this occasion, President Bush invited the leaders to visit the United States to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-US relationship in 2007.  The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to explain to his colleagues the current situation in Thailand and emphasized the determination of the government to strictly promote political development as scheduled.  In response, President Bush expressed his understanding toward the steps that the Thai government had taken to return democracy to Thailand.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister along with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Commerce visited Wat Buddharangsee at Annandale in order to perform religious practices and met with more than 300 Thai people who are living in the vicinity areas.  In this occasion, the Prime Minister talked to those who came to welcome him about current political and economic situations in Thailand.

Afterwards, Mr. Thomas J. Donahue, President and CEO of US Chamber of Commerce (USCC) led the group of US-APEC Business Coalition (USAPBC), comprising business representatives from leading US companies, such as AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Procter and Gamble, Nike, Microsoft and General Motor, to pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce.  The USAPBC representatives took the opportunity to ask questions with regards to Thailand’s policies on trade and investment.  The Prime Minister explained to the USAPBC representatives about important issues, such as Compulsory Licensing (CL), potential business sectors for investment and Foreign Business Act.  In this connection, the representative from NIKE promised to keep its investment in Thailand.  Despite the rise in Thai labor costs, Thailand could provide efficient workers and better infrastructure.