American business leaders yesterday expressed their commitment to do business in Thailand after meeting Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

Matthew Daley, president of the US-Asean Business Council, said after the one-hour meeting: "I think the audience emphasised the commitment to Thailand and determination to continue business operations in Thailand. Everybody who spoke made that affirmation."

Surayud met with around 30 American businessmen from companies such as Chevron, Citigroup Inc, ConocoPhillips, FedEx, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co, Microsoft, New York Life International, Oracle, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Qualcom, Boeing, Dow Chemical, Time Warner, Saltchuck and Sierra Machinery.

Nicholas C Walsh, executive vice president of American International Group, said after meeting Surayud: "He is very open, very frank in his views on many issues. We appreciated his answers very much. He's very professional."

Asked if martial law had hindered his business operation in Thailand, Walsh said: "I am in the financial business, and there's business as usual."

Daley said: "We welcomed the prime minister's articulation of policy. There is recognition that there would be continuity in economic policy. He said that he believed his term in office will be only one year and so he's conscious that with some projects he can lay the foundations but perhaps will not see them through to completion."

Surayud's meeting was a highlight of his trip to Vietnam. Officials said his main agenda was to clarify the Thai situation to Apec investors.

Daley said the meeting had touched a wide variety of issues. For instance, the American audience asked about the maritime border dispute with Cambodia. Some also asked about the regulatory environment for the media, tourism and the telecommunications sector.

Surayud aimed to assure foreign investors that the military-installed government would continue to follow an open economic policy.

Before the meeting with American investors, Surayud gave a speech during the CEO summit. Catherine Weir, Citigroup's head of Asean corporate and investment banking, introduced Surayud to the podium by describing him as a "man known for his modesty and strong sense of duty to Thailand".

Asked what he planned to say to US President George W Bush at today's meeting between Asean and US leaders, Surayud said he did not plan to say anything specific.

"Nothing special. We are trying to do our best in a short period of time. I didn't think I wanted to do it [become prime minister], but it's a necessity. When I agree to do it, I have to do my best."

Jeerawat Na Thalang

The Nation

Hanoi