BANGKOK, 21 June 2012 (NNT) – Foreign Minister Mr. Surapong Torvichakchaikul denied media speculation that he was in the United States last week to request an entry visa for Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra or discuss with NASA regarding the U-tapao military base.

He purported that his recent trip to the US was only to attend a strategic meeting with the US officials. There were neither discussions regarding a visa for former PM Thaksin nor NASA’s mission in Thailand.He said it was entirely the US’s decision to grant an entry visa to any applicant.

Mr. Surapong added that he had been invited by the Secretary of States, Hillary Clinton, to share his thoughts on transnational crimes and human trafficking. He explained that Thailand is ranked no. 2 on the US’s human trafficking watch list at present.

The Foreign Minister claimed he had previously submitted the letter to the US government explaining how Thailand has always been trying to stamp out human trafficking and was hoping that the US would lower Thailand in its next annual ranking report.

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