Uncertainty looms over the participation of US President Joe Biden at the Apec summit in Bangkok as the meeting schedule clashes with his granddaughter's wedding.
The possible absence of the US leader at the Bangkok summit was circulated on Thai media outlets with no official confirmation from either the Thai and US sides. US Vice President Kamala Harris would instead travel to Bangkok to take part in the meeting, according to the reports.
They said Mr Biden would be at the White House to host the wedding reception for his eldest granddaughter Naomi Biden.
The wedding is scheduled for Nov 19. Naomi is the eldest daughter of Mr Biden's son Hunter.
The Apec summit at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre is set for Nov 18-19. Apec stands for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said Thailand and the United States were working out a way for the US president to join the summit. "Both Thailand and the US are coordinating to find a way for POTUS to attend the meeting in Bangkok," he tweeted.
POTUS stands for the president of the United States.
The Apec summit also cropped up in talks between Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. China reaffirmed its support for Thailand to hold the summit, the Thai Foreign Ministry said.
