Duke of York confirms UK, Thailand close ties at all levels

BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) - The visiting Duke of York confirmed good relations between the United Kingdom and Thailand during his talks with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at Bangkok's Government House today. Premier Yingluck received His Royal Highness Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, the Duke of York, at the Thai Government Seat, as the Prince, the second son to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, is in the middle of his five-day visit to Thailand, from February 28-March 3, as the Royal Guest of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand. The Duke of York said that his ongoing visit to the Thai Kingdom is aimed at boosting long-standing relations between the royal families of both countries and strengthening bilateral trade and investment partnerships between the two Kingdoms. His Royal Highness Prince Andrew encouraged Thai investors to expand their businesses into the United Kingdom, where more creativities to rehabilitate domestic businesses and industries are needed. The Duke of York praised several aspects of development in Thailand, including security, politics and economic recovery, saying that he believes Thailand will play important roles regionally and globally and views economic cooperation among Southeast Asian nations under the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), by 2015, will boost the overall competitiveness of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the global arena. The Pheu Thai premier then informed the visiting UK Prince that Thailand is promoting national reconciliation and narrowing down social gaps, acknowledging that she agrees with the increase in Thai investment projects in the United Kingdom. The Thai prime minister then hosted a luncheon for the UK Duke of York at the Thai Khu Fah Building within the Government House's compound. (TNA)