Thai Princess visits Laos

BANGKOK, Marc 14 (TNA) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn met the President of Laos during her two-day visit to the close neighbouring country, which started on March 13. The Thai Princess arrived at Pakse Airport in Champasak Province Tuesday morning and was received by Champasak Governor Sorn Say Siphandon, Vice Foreign Minister Bounkeut Sangsomsak, senior Lao government officials, the Lao Ambassador to Thailand and Thai Ambassador to Laos Withawat Sriwihok. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn then visited the Nong Hin cow farm in Champasak's Pakson district to inspect the highland agriculture project, jointly run by Thailand's Chaipattana Foundation and Kasetsart University, as well as Champasak University. The Thai Princess later visited an agricultural development and service center in Kaysone Phomvihane city of Savannakhet province to lay a foundation stone at the construction site of the new office of the center and also presided over a ceremony to pray for the successful construction. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn ordered the Chaipattana Foundation and relevant organizations of Thailand to develop the agricultural development and service center in Savannakhet as requested by the Vientiane government. The revered Thai Princess visited Lao President Choummaly Sayasone at his office Tuesday evening, during which both discussed sound and long-standing relations of Thailand and Laos. The Laos President told the Princess that development projects Thailand has implemented in Laos are beneficial to Lao people. Meanwhile, the Thai Princess proposed an exchange program of Thai and Lao students for both countries to jointly boost their academic and cultural assets. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn later attended a reception party at the Lao Plaza Hotel Tuesday night, in which she participated in a Lao traditional group dance, organized as part of Lao cultural performances included at the party. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn returned to Bangkok Wednesday afternoon. (TNA)