US President Barack Obama arrived in Bangkok today for bilateral meetings with the Thai government and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
President Obama landed in Air Force One at Don Mueang Airport in northern Bangkok around 3pm.
Thai dignitaries, the US secret service, and media lined up on the tarmac at Don Mueang in anticipation of the arrival Obama
Air Force One, a militarized Boeing 747 known as the VC-25, landed safely around 3 p.m. and taxied to the private jet terminal where Mr. Obama was greeted on the red carpet by US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney and Thai officials. After handshakes were exchanged, the president waved to the press pool and got into his famous bulletproof black Cadillac limousine.
Also traveling with Obama was US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and the pair’s first stop was to Wat Pho temple in Bangkok’s old town, where they were given a tour by the abbot.
Obama then met with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
The President arrived at Government House to a formal military reception with a marching band playing both the US and Thai national anthems.
He then met with Prime Minster Yingluck behind closed doors to discuss bilateral issues.
After the meeting, Obama and Yingluck gave a joint press conference to Thai and international media, including the White House Press corp.
When asked by a Matichon reporter what his favorite Thai dish was, Obama only responded that he liked it all. He said he was looking forward to eating some Thai food for dinner because he was hungry.
Obama then went to a private meet and greet for US Embassy staff and American expats at Chulalongkorn’s Sports Complex.
The Nation reported that Obama is staying at the Grand Hyatt Erawan at Ratchaprasong tonight, before flying to Burma tomorrow for the historic first visit ever of a sitting US president to the country.
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Check back tomorrow morning for Coconuts Bangkok’s complete story and more photos of Barack Obama’s visit to our fair city.
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