Bhutan's Princess visits Thailand

BANGKOK, July 21 (TNA) - Bhutan's Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuk, a sister of Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is paying an official visit to Thailand from July 20-24 as invited by the Courts of Justice of Thailand. Thai Supreme Court President Direk Ingkaninanda and judges on Monday morning welcomed the visiting Bhutanese Princess and her entourage, including Bhutan's judges, the attorney general, the secretary-general of the Courts of Justice and other authorities. Accompanied by her seven followers, the Bhutanese Princess later visited the Thai Bar under the Royal Patronage on Monday afternoon to inspect the production of Thai judges, attorneys and lawyers and its legal services for the public. The Bhutanese Princess also inspected the search engine of the Thai Supreme Court's ruling database, the legal services of the court and the courtroom for cases concerning holders of political positions and received a briefing. The Thai Bar under the Royal Patronage then presented its honorary membership to Bhutan's Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuk, making her become the fifth honorary member of the Thai Bar under the Royal Patronage. Such memberships were earlier presented to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1952, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in 1964, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn in 1987 and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 1982. The Bhutanese Princess graduated in international relations from Standford University and obtained her master's degree in law from Harvard University, also in the United States. Bhutan's Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuk, whose ongoing trip to Thailand is aimed to boost bilateral relations on justice, now works for Bhutan's High Court and chairs the Bhutan National Legal Institute. (TNA)