BANGKOK, Feb 9 (Bernama) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived in Thailand for a two-day official visit to elevate bilateral ties and strengthen the multifaceted cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand.
The special aircraft carrying Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, landed at the Military Air Terminal 2 at 1 pm (local time).
He was greeted upon arrival by Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, representing the Thai government.
Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel.
It is Anwar’s maiden visit to Thailand after being sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia. The visit is at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha.
The Malaysian delegation also includes Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and top officials from the relevant ministries and agencies.
A tight schedule awaits the prime minister during the visit, which will kick off with a high tea with the Malaysian diaspora.
Anwar will attend a welcoming ceremony presided by Prayuth at the Government House and the leaders will then hold a bilateral meeting to discuss the way forward in strengthening the multifaceted cooperation.
Focus areas include economic cooperation, border area development and key connectivity projects crossing the land borders.
Later, Anwar and Prayuth would witness the signing and exchange of four memoranda of understanding to explore potential cooperation in the fields of energy and digital economy.
Anwar will be attending an official dinner hosted by Prayuth before concluding the first-day programme.
On the second day of his visit, Anwar is scheduled to give a speech on “The Future of ASEAN” during a meeting with the captains of industry and the business community, followed by a networking lunch.
He would also join the congregation to perform Friday prayers at the Islamic Centre of Thailand.
Anwar is scheduled to depart home tomorrow at 5 pm (local time).
This is Anwar’s fourth international official visit after Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore since taking office on Nov 24 last year. – Bernama