Thai army chief visits Malaysia

BANGKOK, April 4 (TNA) - Thai Army Chief General Chalermchai Sittisart is paying a two-day visit to Malaysia, scheduled for April 4-5, to introduce himself after taking his new office in September 2016 and to discuss bilateral cooperation between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok on border issues. Accompanied by his entourage, including Commanding General of the Fourth Army Area Command Lieutenant General Piyawat Nakwanich, the Thai army commander-in-chief departed for the neighbouring country on Tuesday morning. The Thai army chief earlier told journalists that he would meet Malaysia's Supreme Commander, Army Chief and Defence Minister. Besides, the Thai army chief said, he would thank Malaysia for the neighbouring country's support in facilitating peace talks between the Thai government and representatives of insugent groups in the Thai Far South. According to the Thai army chief, he would also discuss with the Malaysian side bilateral cooperation on other border issues, including suspected insurgents' sneak across the border to Malaysia, as well as goods smugglings, drug trafficking and other illegal cross-border activities. (TNA)