Trade and security will top the agenda when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha meets US President Donald Trump at the White House next week, officials say.
The long-awaited meeting on Oct 3 will cover a range of issues from Thai companies investing in the United States to the strategic role Thailand could play in Asia, especially regarding the escalating conflict between Washington and Pyongyang, they said.
Issues to be tabled include "the increase in investment by Thai companies in the United States and the role we can play in coordinating on North Korea", a highly placed source in the Thai government told the Bangkok Post.
Thai Summit, PTT, Banpu, Indorama Ventures, Thai Union Group and other companies have made heavy investments in the United States but not many have been publicised, the source said.
As part of the preparations, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will meet Gen Prayut and his economic team Wednesday to hammer out details. Mr Ross recently returned from a working trip to China.
The ongoing Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and North Korea's nuclear programme are also seen as critically important subjects to be discussed, the source said.
Mr Trump, who in a statement called Thailand a "key partner and longstanding ally", is likely to want Bangkok to play an important security role in the region.
In his White House statement, Mr Trump said he "will discuss ways to strengthen and broaden bilateral relations and enhance cooperation".
The prime minister will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai, Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda, Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn and Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr.
The premier's trip, from Oct 2-4, is expected to help re-energise bilateral ties, advance mutual cooperation and reaffirm Thailand as Washington's oldest ally in Asia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Next year mark 200 years since ties were first established.
Panitan Wattanayagorn, an adviser to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, said the two countries would review and revise their plan for a strategic partnership in the region.
This includes intelligence work, drug suppression, anti-terrorism and a crackdown on transnational crime as well as setting the points of discussion for disputes in the South China Sea, the Rohingya crisis and North Korea issues.
They are expected to discuss enhanced military cooperation, such as expanding the Cobra Gold joint exercises and humanitarian missions. Mr Panitan said US companies will be invited to invest in weapons procurement and the Eastern Economic Corridor special economic zone.
Chen Namchaisiri, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said Thailand should highlight its success in tackling human trafficking and intellectual property rights violations, and resume bilateral FTA talks.
Mr Trump earlier announced his intention to fix trade deficits with 16 countries including Thailand.
Bilateral trade stood at US$40 billion last year with the kingdom notching a $19-billion surplus.
