PM: Thailand will host World Economic Forum East Asia in 2011

Mr. Abhisit, now attending a three-day 40th WEF 2010 in the Swiss city of Davos which ends later Sunday, said next year’s Bangkok meeting would be significant for Thailand, especially after Thai oil giant PTT Pcl is now a member of WEF, and Krung Thai Bank has just applied for membership and is awaiting confirmation.

Their applications for WEF membership are considered positive signals and the organiser of the meeting gained more confidence seeing Thailand as host of the event next year, said Mr. Abhisit.

Participants attending the meeting in Davos have high expectations that the Asian region could help spur global economy, he said, adding that he had held talks with the Swiss President and Economics Minister Doris Leuthard, Belgian prime minister Yves Leterme and had an audience with the Duke of York on ways to widen investment in Thailand.

Mr. Abhisit in his weekly television and radio address, broadcast from Bangkok, said Thailand’s economy has been showing signs of stronger recovery during the past several weeks.

He said total investment value seeking promotional privileges from the Board of Investment during 2009 stood as high as Bt700 billion, higher than the target by about 60 per cent. This year’s target is set at approximately Bt500 billion.