President Duterte set to go to Myanmar, Thailand

This handout photograph received from the Royal Thai Bureau on December 1, 2016, shows Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (R) accepting the invitation to ascend to the throne, 50 days after the death of his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in Bangkok. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed king of Thailand late December 1, 2016, opening a new chapter for the powerful monarchy in a country still mourning the death of his father. / AFP PHOTO / Royal Thai Bureau / STRINGER / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / ROYAL THAI BUREAU" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
This handout photograph received from the Royal Thai Bureau on December 1, 2016, shows Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (R) accepting the invitation to ascend to the throne, 50 days after the death of his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in Bangkok. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed king of Thailand late December 1, 2016, opening a new chapter for the powerful monarchy in a country still mourning the death of his father. / AFP PHOTO / Royal Thai Bureau / STRINGER / 

(Eagle  News) — President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to go to two neighboring Asian countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Duterte and his entourage will first leave for Nay Pyi Daw in Myanmar on Sunday.

There he will meet with President U Htin Kyaw and Nobel Peace Prize awardee Aung San Suu Kyi.

On Monday, they will then proceed to Bangkok, Thailand.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Operations Office said during Duterte’s two-day official visit there,  he is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Chayut Pran-o-cha.

The official visit will take place some three months before the Philippines’ 68th year of bilateral relations with the neighboring country.

According to the PCOO, the two leaders were expected to discuss “issues of mutual concern, including political, economic, agriculture, energy, education and defense cooperation.”

“President Duterte is expected to share with Thai officials information on various developments in the country, as well as the priorities and programs of the Philippines for its (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) chairmanship,” it said.

It added the President was scheduled to meet some members of the Filipino community.

There are more than 16,000 Filipinos living and working in Thailand.

“The relations (with Thailand) have always been strong and vibrant, with exchanges at the highest levels taking place regularly since the establishment of relations in 1949,” the PCOO said.