Bongbong Marcos to meet Thai monarchs, Filipino community on Apec summit sidelines

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will meet Thailand’s monarchs and the Filipino community in Bangkok on the sidelines of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders summit, he said on Wednesday.

In his pre-departure briefing, the President said King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida have granted the Apec leaders who would be present in Bangkok from November 16 to 19 audience.

He would also have his meeting with the Filipino community, just like in his previous foreign trips.

“In addition to the Apec meetings, the First Lady and I will meet their majesties King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajira Klao Chao Yu Hua and Queen Suthida Phatcharasuthaphimonlak who graciously granted a Royal Audience to the Apec leaders and their spouses,” Marcos said.

“As this will be my first trip to Thailand since I assumed the presidency, I will take the opportunity to meet all our kababayans there.  Since the start of my coming into office, we have already gone through a lot but we do not waver on the dream, ang ating pangarap na wala nang ginugutom na Pilipino (our dream that no Filipino would be hungry),” he added.

Marcos said he will also meet with business leaders in Thailand to invite them to make investments in the Philippines.

“I will meet of course with Thai business leaders on the Apec sidelines to invite investments and seek business opportunities to promote the Philippines, our economic agenda and our exports and I’m participating in panel discussions on the global economy and the future of Apec among select Apec leaders invited to speak at the annual gathering of top CEOs from across the region,” he said.

“There will be bilateral meetings which at present, we are still finalizing with other economic leaders, both private and heads of state, to discuss strengthening diplomatic relations and economic cooperation,” he added.

Thailand will be the fifth country to be visited by the President for official business since his inauguration last June 30.  He first visited Indonesia and Singapore before flying to New York in the United States for the 77th United Nations General Assembly.

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Just the previous week, Marcos was in Cambodia for the 40th and the 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, which Malacañang said was successful.

READ: Bongbong Marcos departs PH to join Apec Summit in Thailand 

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/MUF