Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s meeting with President Donald J. Trump at the White House to further strengthen Thailand-U.S. security alliance and economic partnership

 

On October 2, 2017, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand met with President Donald J. Trump at the White House, and both leaders agreed to further strengthen the security alliance and economic partnership between Thailand and the United States.

Upon arrival at the White House, Prime Minister Prayut and his wife, Associate Professor Naraporn Chan-o-cha, were warmly greeted by President Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump before proceeding to the Oval Office. There, Prime Minister Prayut expressed his deepest condolences and solidarity on behalf of the Thai people to President Trump and the American people for the tragic event in Las Vegas and the devastation in Puerto Rico. He conveyed to President Trump his confidence in the resilience of the American people and that the Thai people stand with the American people during this difficult time.

The two leaders recalled the rich history of the Thailand-U.S. relations and longstanding friendship that existed for almost 200 years between the peoples of both countries. They also hailed almost 185 years of formal relations between the two countries which started during the time of former President Andrew Jackson, whom President Trump admired.  They underscored the importance of further advancing the Thailand-U.S. alliance so that this alliance will continue to be a key feature underpinning peace and stability in the vital Indo-Pacific region.

They shared a common desire to further solidify the already firm foundation of this friendship for the generations to come, and to work closely on all issues of common interest for the two countries and their peoples.

At the working lunch attended by members of cabinet and senior officials of both countries, the two delegations exchanged views on a broad spectrum of issues concerning both bilateral ties and security in the Indo-Pacific region. They resolved to work closely together in the months and years ahead to further strengthen the alliance to address common security challenges and advance economic partnership in all areas of common interest. They also pledged to cooperate closely to foster stronger people-to-people ties, especially among youths, as a solid foundation for enduring alliance and partnership.