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The United States of America Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton made a diplomatic and humanitarian visit to Thailand on November 16 and 17, 2011. Following this text is an embedded video clip including speeches by both Clinton and the Prime Minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra.In the video, Yingluck greets Hilary Clinton with a welcome speech and continues by reading her scripted statement to the press. First, the PM outlines and emphasizes the strong ties and shared values between the two countries and offers an apology for not being able to attend the APEC meeting earlier in the week. Then she goes on to express her anticipation for meeting US Borack Obama in the East Asian summit in Bali on Saturday, November 19, 2011. After that, she offers her gratitude and appreciation to Obama and the government of the United States for their extended assistance to Thailand during the current flood-relief efforts. She notes that the US and Thailand have been collaborating in terms of financial and technical logistics, and mentions the use of Utapao airport being utilized for humanitarian relief. She also stated that the current government [Pheu Thai party] are committed to achieving political reconciliation and social cohesion.

Hillary Clinton responds with her own speech and expresses intent to continue to offer support for Thailand’s recovery and rebuilding via military and civilian assistant, noting the good relationship the two countries have shared over the previous century. Clinton outlines the ways in which the US has assisted Thailand’s relief efforts and how it plans to continue to support and assist one of its closest Asian allies. Hillary talks specificaly how the US has helped Thailand through this crisis. She goes on to reveil that the US intends to help Thailand reopen Don Muang airport, police stations and anient monuments as to revive tourism, trade, security and commerce. Hilary reminds the press that Thailand and US have been tied in relations for more than 170 years and expresses gratefulness for the continued alliance and that she looks forward to the East Asian summit in Indonesia. The summit will bring together leaders of East Asia, Southeast Asia, Russia, Australia and Oceania.

Also part of the clips are questions and answer session from the press, including questions from AFP and Bangkok Post. The two leaders respond to the questions about political reconciliation — referring to the potential and contreversial amnesty of ousted premier, Thaksin Shinwawatra, Yingluck’s older brother, and also touch on humanitarian and disaster response issues

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