WASHINGTON (AP) – The Latest on President Donald Trump and the prime minister of Thailand (all times local):
12:35 p.m.
President Donald Trump is welcoming Thailand’s junta leader to the White House.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his wife at the White House south portico Monday.
The visit was a rare instance of a military ruler being greeted in Washington before even a nominal return to civilian rule. It comes three years after the prime minister seized power in a military coup, and days after the elected leader whose government he ousted was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison.
Human rights groups are outraged, but it gives a shot in the arm to U.S. relations with its oldest ally in Asia. Thailand has moved more into China’s orbit since Washington scaled back ties because of the military takeover.
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4:43 a.m.
President Donald Trump hosts Thailand’s junta leader at the White House on Monday. It’s a rare instance of a military ruler being feted in Washington before even a nominal return to civilian rule.
The visit of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (prah-YOOT chahn oh-CHAH) comes three years after he seized power in a military coup, and days after the elected leader whose government he ousted was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison.
Human rights groups are outraged, but it gives a shot in the arm to U.S. relations with its oldest ally in Asia, which has moved more into China’s orbit since Washington scaled back ties because of the military takeover.