Security is tight in Bangkok and Tak Province as the US President and first lady are scheduled to arrive in Thailand on Wednesday.
US President George W Bush, accompanied by his wife, Laura Bush, is making his third visit to Thailand since he assumed office in 2000.
Bush and his Thai hosts mark 175 years of relations, which began with an 1833 treaty and gifts of a ceremonial sword, gold watch and silver basket from President Andrew Jackson to King Rama III.
Bush attends an honorary dinner at Government House on Wednesday after private discussions with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Bush is to deliver the address in a convention center on Thursday morning to a crowd of foreign diplomats, Thai government leaders and business officials.
The president will visit Mercy Center, which serves children who live in Bangkok slums, while his wife Laura will travel to a refugee center in Mae Sot in Tak Province on the border with Burma.
Ten exiled Burmese, including The Irrawaddy editor, Aung Zaw, will have a private lunch with Bush and discuss a wide range of issues regarding Burma.
Laura Bush will meet with refugees at the Mae La Refugee Camp and also visit Dr Cynthia Maung at the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot. The first lady has waged a vigorous campaign for human rights in Burma.
Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag said Bush is expected to deliver a statement on the US stance regarding the political situation in Burma.
The Thai foreign minister reiterated that “the Thai government still maintains its policy of non-intervention in Burma's internal affairs,” according to a report on the Thai News Agency Web site on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, he said Thailand will cooperate in seeking a way out of the political conflicts in the neighboring country in a constructive manner under the framework set forth by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional grouping of countries. Thailand has assumed the chairmanship this year.
Thai officials have increased security in Bangkok and Mae Sot. About 200 US security officials have been in Mae Sot since early this week.
US President George W Bush, accompanied by his wife, Laura Bush, is making his third visit to Thailand since he assumed office in 2000.
Bush and his Thai hosts mark 175 years of relations, which began with an 1833 treaty and gifts of a ceremonial sword, gold watch and silver basket from President Andrew Jackson to King Rama III.
Bush attends an honorary dinner at Government House on Wednesday after private discussions with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Bush is to deliver the address in a convention center on Thursday morning to a crowd of foreign diplomats, Thai government leaders and business officials.
The president will visit Mercy Center, which serves children who live in Bangkok slums, while his wife Laura will travel to a refugee center in Mae Sot in Tak Province on the border with Burma.
Ten exiled Burmese, including The Irrawaddy editor, Aung Zaw, will have a private lunch with Bush and discuss a wide range of issues regarding Burma.
Laura Bush will meet with refugees at the Mae La Refugee Camp and also visit Dr Cynthia Maung at the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot. The first lady has waged a vigorous campaign for human rights in Burma.
Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag said Bush is expected to deliver a statement on the US stance regarding the political situation in Burma.
The Thai foreign minister reiterated that “the Thai government still maintains its policy of non-intervention in Burma's internal affairs,” according to a report on the Thai News Agency Web site on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, he said Thailand will cooperate in seeking a way out of the political conflicts in the neighboring country in a constructive manner under the framework set forth by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional grouping of countries. Thailand has assumed the chairmanship this year.
Thai officials have increased security in Bangkok and Mae Sot. About 200 US security officials have been in Mae Sot since early this week.
