Thai premier visits L.A.

Thai premier visits L.A.

LOS ANGELES, California (AP): Thai Prime Minister Chuan
Leekpai arrived in Los Angeles a day after U.S. officials
announced a US$1.7 billion aid package for Thailand to help the
country recover from its financial crisis.

Chuan briefly greeted Thai consulate officials after his plane
landed Saturday at Los Angeles International Airport before he
entered a limousine waiting on the tarmac and was whisked away.

While in Los Angeles, Chuan planned to attend religious
ceremonies at a Buddhist temple and visit the new J. Paul Getty
Center. He also intended to attempt to persuade the large local
Thai community to purchase Thailand bonds, which would strengthen
the country's finances.

"We want to do whatever we can to be a good friend and a good
partner," President Bill Clinton said at the outset of a White
House meeting held with Chuan last Friday. Thailand is the oldest
U.S. ally in Southeast Asia.