Thai PM receives UK Duke of York

BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra received the visiting Duke of York Thursday and hosted a luncheon for the Prince, the second son to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, at Bangkok's Government House. Earlier in the day, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul also received the Duke of York, who is visiting Thailand from February 28–March 3 as the Royal Guest of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand, during which bilateral relations and trade promotion between the United Kingdom and the Thai Kingdom were discussed. According to the Thai foreign minister, the United Kingdom has proposed that Thailand reduce obstacles to facilitate British investment in the country, as many British universities are interested in opening their campuses in Thailand. Meanwhile, Thailand has asked the United Kingdom to help promote the Thai tourism, as Russian visitors have already formed the biggest number of foreign tourists in Thailand in place of British travelers. In this case, UK authorities inquired about security in Thailand; while Thai authorities insisted that the Thai government is now stable and pays special attention to flood prevention; while the Thai Parliament has already passed laws to borrow money to fund flood prevention projects. (TNA)