Malaysian PM officially visits Thailand Oct 24-25

BANGKOK, October 24 (TNA) - Newly-elected Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad is scheduled to pay an official visit to Thailand as the guest of the Thai government during October 24-25, his first trip to Bangkok after he took office in May. Accompanied by his spouse, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah binti Haji Mohamad Ali, the Malaysian prime minister is scheduled to meet his Thai counterpart General Prayut Chan-ocha at Bangkok's Government House after his arrival in the Thai capital to introduce himself as a new leader of a member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation in the areas of security, economic partnership, enhanced cross border connectivity and others in the ASEAN and multinational frameworks. The visiting Malaysian prime minister and his wife are also scheduled to attend a dinner reception, hosted by the Thai government, at the Government House on Wednesday's evening. On Thursday, the visiting Malaysian premier and his wife are scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Thai Privy Council President and Statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda, who is also a former Thai prime minister, at his place in the city, before flying back to Kuala Lumpur later in the day. Malaysia is now Thailand's 4th largest trading partner on the world market, 7th largest investor and 2nd largest tourist market. Besides, Malaysia has played a significant role as the facilitator of the ongoing peace negotiation process between representatives the Thai government and those of insurgent groups in the troubled Thai Far South. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad is taking his Malaysian premiership for the second time, after he previously took office during 1981-2003, making him the longest holder of the Malaysian government leadership. (TNA)