Thai PM invited to visit U.S.

Thai PM invited to visit U.S.

BANGKOK (AFP): The United States has invited Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to visit Washington, Thai foreign ministry spokesman Norachit Singhasenee said on Sunday.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly extended the invitation on Friday, when he stopped over in Bangkok on his return from an Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional meeting in Hanoi.

While in Bangkok, Kelly met with Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai who received the invitation on behalf of the Thai premier.

No date had been set for the visit, but details would be discussed soon through diplomatic channels, Norachit said.

Last week, some 10,000 troops fanned out across northern Thailand as annual U.S., Thai and Singaporean war games got underway with a focus on peacekeeping and law enforcement.