Prayut to hold talks with US Defence SecretaryMembers of Khana Ratsadon for the Repeal of (Section 112) on Tuesday gather in front of the US embassy to submit a letter to US President Joe Biden and Asean leaders asking them to pressure Thailand into freeing 11 political prisoners and abolishing the lese majeste law. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will hold talks with US Defence Secretary Lloyd James Austin during his visit to Washington DC for the US-Asean Special Summit on Thursday and Friday, a source said. The meeting has fuelled rumours that further talks will take place about the Royal Thai Air Force's (RTAF) bid to procure F-35 fighter jets. Gen Prayut said he will leave for Washington DC on Wednesday to attend the US-Asean Special Summit where US and Asean leaders are expected to announce their vision on how they will continue cooperating in the post-Covid-19 pandemic period. Ahead of the summit, Thai and US officials engaged in discussions at the US-Thailand Strategic and Defense Dialogue in Washington DC on Monday and Tuesday (May 9-10), according to a US embassy press release.

Source: Bangkok Post May 11, 2022 06:53 UTC