At the invitation of Her Excellency Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra,  Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, will pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand on 17 – 19 May 2013 as guest of the Royal Thai Government. President Rahmon will be accompanied by a high-level delegation.

       The official welcoming ceremony will be held on 17 May 2013 at Government House, followed by bilateral discussions. After the discussions, the Prime Minister of Thailand and the President of Tajikistan will witness the signing of the Convention between Thailand and Tajikistan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect of Tax Income. Prime Minister Yingluck will then host dinner in honour of President Rahmon and his delegation. The President of Tajikistan is also scheduled to attend the 2^nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit at the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center on 19 May 2013.

       The visit takes place against the backdrop of the celebrations of the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Tajikistan. The official visit of President Rahmon will herald a new phase of close relations between the two countries, marked by enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as socio-economic development, direct air connections, and promotion of trade, investment and tourism.  The visit is also a reflection of Thailand’s continuing efforts to foster closer ties with Central Asia and to strengthen the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) – an initiative for Asia-wide cooperation launched by Thailand in 2002 which is currently chaired by Tajikistan.

This is the second official visit of President Rahmom to Thailand. His first was in 2005.