Thai PM to visit India to tighten ties

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will pay an official visit to India on January 24 and 26, according to the Bangkok Post online on Tuesday. Thai Trade Representative Nalinee Thaweesin said on Tuesday that Yingluck will be an honorary guest invited to attend India's Independence Day celebration by the Indian government. The prime minister will also discuss ways to increase trade and investment opportunities between the two countries, particularly in energy, petroleum and food industries, she added. Nalinee said Thailand considers India as a major strategic economic partner because it is a big market with over 1.2 billion population. Once the ASEAN economic community takes effect in 2015, Thailand can become a trade and investment gateway to the community for India, while India will be a distribution center of Thai products to countries in South Asia, she said.