PNoy meets with Thai prime minister in Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III is holding a bilateral meeting today with visiting Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Prayut and his wife, Naraporn Chan-o-Cha, arrived in Manila last night for a two-day official visit upon invitation by Aquino.

This is Prayut's first visit to the Philippines since he assumed office in 2014.

Prayut led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park earlier this morning and proceeded to Malacañang to pay a courtesy call on Aquino.

The two will have an expanded bilateral meeting to discuss matters of interest to their countries. They will hold a joint press statement shortly thereafter.

Aquino will also host a state luncheon in honor of the visiting head of state and his delegates.

In an earlier statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Prayut's visit aims to deepen the partnership between the Philippines and Thailand for mutual prosperity.

The DFA said the two leaders will talk about agriculture, defense, education, law enforcement, security, trade and investments, technical cooperation, tourism and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) matters, among other issues.

"The two leaders will look into ways to work closely together towards mutual prosperity and contribute to further strengthen the ASEAN’s post-2015 vision," the DFA said.

The DFA noted that Thailand is the Philippines's eighth largest trading partner in 2014, with total two-way trade amounting to $5.83 billion. — Louis Bacani