BANGKOK, November 18 (Itar-Tass) — Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Wechachiwa cancelled a scheduled visit in Russia to attend a St. Petersburg summit for the protection of tigers.

Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn rejected some reports that the visit was cancelled due to the extradition of Russian citizen Viktor Bout from Thailand to the United States. There is no connection with this case, he said. The minister of natural resources and environmental protection will represent Thailand at the forum.

ITAR-TASS