State Visits

Are people aware that the President of France and his wife are making a state visit to Thailand this month, and that later in the month the King and Queen of Spain will be making a state visit. The Prime Minister of Thailand is involved in the details and the planning. But of course both visits will be be effectivelyat the invitation of His Majesty. These should be impressive occasions, but the roads of Bangkok should be avoided if you are a driver.

what are the dates

Full details:
BANGKOK, Feb. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac and his wife will pay their state visit to Thailand this month as the guests of the King and Queen of Thailand, Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee announced here Thursday.

Surapong was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying Thursday that President Chirac and his wife, Madame Bernadette Chirac, would pay their state visit to Thailand on Feb. 17-19, aimed to strengthen relations between the two countries.

On Feb. 18, the French president and his entourage, including French foreign, finance and industry, external trade, defense and tourism ministers, will hold a plenary meeting with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other Thai cabinet members.

The two sides will discuss a joint French-Thai action plan, proposed by the Thai government, covering bilateral cooperation inscience and technology, tourism, as well as fashion businesses, including a plan to set up Thailand Fashion House in Paris, according to the government spokesman.

The Thai and French governments will then sign agreements in postal services, as well as information and communication technology (ICT) and science and technology.

The two countries' private sector would also sign their business pacts, including those between Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) and Bangkok Airways and France-based Airbus Co. on purchases of 21 Airbus aircraft over the next five years.

The French and Thai leaders will then issue a joint statement on relations and cooperation between the two countries, the agency said. Enditem

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain would pay a state visit to Thailand from Feb. 21-23, aimed at strengthening relations between the two kingdoms' Royal Families and their peoples.

Thai Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying Thursday that Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Wednesday chaired a meeting of agencies concerned to prepare for the state visit of the Spanish King and Queen