MANILA, Philippines - Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will arrive in the Philippines Thursday to kick off a two-day official visit, Malacañang said Wednesday.
A Palace statement said Prime Minister Samak will arrive at 1:35 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and will receive arrival honors at Malacañang at 3 p.m.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will meet Samak at a Leader's Meeting at the Palace Music Room.
Following the meeting, President Arroyo will treat him and his delegation to a Palace dinner at the Rizal Hall.
Meeting the Thai leader at the airport are vice president Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Antonio Rodriguez, and Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog.
Samak was the leader of the People's Power Party since August 2007 and became prime minister in January this year.
For seven years until the military coup of September 2006, Samak, a well-known television chef, hosted a cooking show called Tasting, Grumbling on the Thailand ITV television network. - GMANews.TV