Xi Jinping to attend Apec Summit in Bangkok, no news yet on Putin
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai confirmed on Monday that China’s President Xi Jinping will attend the Apec Summit in Bangkok on November 18-19.
Don said Xi will be among leaders of six countries that will also pay an official visit to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during the summit.
Don said the decision on who represents a member country depends often on the local situation.
For example, Don said, the Malaysian prime minister will not attend the summit because the country is preparing for a general election.
The Thai foreign minister added that Mexico’s leader also would not attend the Bangkok summit because of an internal reason.
“So far, we can unveil only this information,” Don said.
The Foreign Ministry said it was still uncertain whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would attend the Apec Summit, while US President Joe Biden has reportedly decided to send his vice president.
The foreign minister revealed that several nations have proposed bilateral meetings with Prayut and the Foreign Ministry has yet to schedule the requested meetings.
Don said the Thai government would ensure maximum security for leaders of the Apec members while also making sure the attendants do not contract Covid.
The government would also make sure that traffic around the meeting venue would be clear, while at the same time not inconveniencing local people.
The Cabinet has declared extra holidays from November 16 to 18 to free Bangkok streets from traffic during the summit, hoping Bangkokians would visit the provinces during the long weekend.
The foreign minister added that although the summit is being held late in the tenure of the Prayut government, foreign countries still have confidence in the Thai government as many have asked for special meetings with the Thai prime minister.
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