Phumtham denies US visa ban talk

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday denied rumours he was denied a visa by the United States following the government's recent decision to repatriate Uyghurs to China.

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

He was responding to reporters’ questions about the absence of key ministers from the Thai delegation, led by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who was negotiating with the US over the trade tariff hike.

Mr Phumtham admitted that Thai security officials did not travel to the US for the talks, which were postponed, but said that security-related proposals could be forwarded to him for further action without him travelling to the US.