February 14, 2008
BANGKOK - Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama will take his first overseas trip to attend the Asean ministers meeting at the beginning of next week.
Noppadon who said Thaksin would return to Thailand on the day of love, will travel to Singapore on Monday and stay until Thursday to attend a retreat for his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a ministry official said.
Previously, it was said Noppadon’s first foreign visit would be to neighbouring Laos. But the trip was put off as he had to help develop the government's policy speech to be presented to parliament on Monday.
Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee will also visit Singapore on his first overseas trip amid reports that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is now there.
Thai-language Matichon daily newspaper reported on its front page that Thaksin is now in Singapore.
But, senior government officials have denied the report.
Noppadon insistsed he had no plan to meet Thaksin.
Thaksin who has lived in self-imposed exile since the coup, and faced corruption charges filed by the Assets Examination Committee, today visited an aviation show in Hong Kong.
