[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
[September 19, 2005]
[Pages 1456-1457]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Thaksin 
Chinnawat of Thailand
September 19, 2005

    President Bush. It's been my honor to welcome the Prime Minister of 
Thailand back to the--to Washington. Thank you for coming, Mr. Prime 
Minister.
    Prime Minister Thaksin. Thank you.
    President Bush. Laura and I were just talking 
the other evening about what a wonderful visit we had to your country 
when you hosted APEC. It's reminded me--when I was thinking about that 
visit, reminded me of our close friendship. The Prime Minister is a 
person who believes in markets and free enterprise and freedom. And I'm 
really, really pleased he's here.
    We had a--we talked about a lot of subjects. One subject that I'm 
particularly interested in is avian flu and the need for our countries 
to work together. Thailand is a leader in putting systems in place that 
will track the virus as it attacks different birds and watches very 
carefully to make sure that there's no bird-to-human transmission in his 
country. He's willing to work in the neighborhood, for which I'm 
grateful. All of us need to be mindful of this potentially devastating 
disease. And we've got a good friend and a very thoughtful leader when 
it comes to that subject.
    We talked about North Korea. We talked about the neighborhood. We 
talked about our economies. We would like to get a free trade agreement 
concluded here as quickly as possible, and the Prime Minister made that 
very clear to me.
    All in all, it was a very good visit, covering a lot of subjects, 
and I'm not surprised, because I'm visiting with a good friend.
    So, welcome, Mr. Prime Minister.
    Prime Minister Thaksin. Thank you, Mr. President. It's my pleasure 
to visit Washington, DC, again. It's my third time during Prime 
Ministership, and this trip I have been--discussed with the President 
about the bilateral and also the regional--in Asia as well. And we had a 
very good conversation.
    I committed to President Bush that we are pressing ahead with the 
FTA, and also we will work closely with U.S. by drafting the plan of 
action in the cooperation between our two countries and also with the 
third country as well if the two countries would like to work together 
with, in helping or in working with other countries.
    I also want to welcome the President to meet with the ASEAN seven 
during APEC meeting in November in Korea.
    President Bush. Finally, I do want to thank the Prime Minister and 
His Majesty for sending relief supplies 
to our folks that have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. This good 
country has just come through a tsunami, and they're on their way to 
recovery. And yet they were able to, through their--because of their 
generous hearts,

[[Page 1457]]

ship help. And so thanks very much, and please thank His Majesty for his 
generous contribution to the folks down there.
    Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 2:52 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to King Phumiphon Adunyadet of 
Thailand.