Thai PM arrives in Malaysia for one-day visit

KUALA LUMPUR, December 1 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has arrived in Malaysia for a one-day visit, aimed to strengthen ties and cooperation in various areas between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The Thai prime minister arrived in the Malaysian capital on Monday morning, at around 10am (local time), and was officially received at the Malaysian Government House. The Thai premier and his entourage, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Defence Minister and Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr, Deputy Transport Minister and Secretary-General to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Commanding General of the 4th Army Area Command Lieutenant General Prakan Cholayuth, Secretary-General to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) General Chatchaloem Chaloemsuk, Secretary-General to the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) Panu Uthairat and Army Chief Advisor General Aksara Kerdpol, later had a plenary meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and other authorities, during which the Thai premier introduced himself and his new government to the Malaysian side. Issues on bilateral partnerships, including attempts to raise rubber prices and projects to develop a special economic zone and tourism promotion in border areas adjacent to Malaysia, as well as solutions to violence in the Thai far South and bilateral coopeation in all relevant areas were also raised during the plenary talks. The Malaysian prime minister then hosted a lunch for his visiting Thai counterpart and entourage. The Thai leader is scheduled to meet the Team Thailand and representatives of Thai business operators and communities in Malaysia on Monday afternoon (local time), before returning to Thailand in the evening. (TNA)