Thai Prime Minister on brief visit in RP

Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pronounced as Aphisit Wetchachiwa) visited the Philippines on Friday for a "familiarization tour" before the Associated of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in October. Malacañang welcomed Thailand's youngest prime minister at around noon. Abhisit also met with Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City. Abhisit is also expected to attend a wreath laying ceremony in Rizal Park. After which, he will return to the Palace for a cocktail reception. Foreign Affairs Ed Malaya told GMANews.TV that the prime minister is expected to leave the country at around 9 p.m. After visiting the Philippines, Abhisit will go to other neighboring Asean-member countries like Brunei and Myanmar. Thailand had earlier postponed regional summit of Asian leaders because of political unrest in the host country. Protesters seeking the resignation ofAbhisit forced the cancellation of the summit on April 11 after they stormed the hotel at which meetings were being held in the seaside resort of Pattaya. Some visiting leaders fled by helicopter. In December 2008, a rival group of protesters shuttered Bangkok's two airports for eight days, forcing the previous government to also postpone the summit. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV with AP