Thai PM officially visits Brunei March 25-26

BANGKOK, March 25 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is scheduled to pay an official visit to Brunei from March 25-26, aimed to introduce himself and to boost bilateral ties and cooperation between Thailand and Brunei. Accompanied by his entourage, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Phuengboon Na Ayudhaya and Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, who is also Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), Government Spokesman Dr. Yongyuth Mayalarp said, the Thai prime minister was leaving Bangkok for Brunei on Wednesday afternoon. The spokesman told journalists that, after arriving in Brunei, the Thai prime minister is scheduled to be granted an audience with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei at the Istana Nurul Iman Palace, during which issues on bilateral relations and cooperation between Thailand and Brunei will be discussed. Besides, the Sultan of Brunei, who is the most senior national leader of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Thai prime minister will witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Thailand and Brunei on bilateral agricultural cooperation. The Thai prime minister and his entourage will then attend a dinner reception, hosted by the Sultan of Brunei at the Istana Nurul Iman Palace on Wednesday evening. The spokesman stated that Brunei is the sixth ASEAN member state General Prayut has visited to introduce himself as the Thai prime minister. According to the spokesman, relations between Thailand and Brunei have been sound in all dimensions and at all levels, especially at the governmental and royal levels. The Sultan of Brunei is the center of people and national administration. Brunei is also wealthy and has plenty of oil reserves. (TNA)