Belgian Crown Prince, Princess arrive in Thailand

BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philippe and his consort Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium arrived in Thailand early Sunday for a six-day visit as guests of Their Majesties the King and Queen. They were welcomed upon their arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport by His Majesty’s Deputy Principal Private Secretary Chittrapat Krairiksh, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana and the deputy governor of Samut Prakan province. During the visit, aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries, they will have an audience with His Majesty the King this Friday. Accompanied by senior Belgian government officials and leading businessmen, Crown Prince Philippe, also honorary chairman of the Belgian Foreign Trade Board, will confer with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and ministers responsible for Thailand’s economy on ways to widen trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. He will also preside over the maintenance of the Thai-Belgian Bridge in Bangkok, inspect the operations of Belgian firms located within the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate while H.R.H. Princess Mathilde is scheduled to inspect and participate in women’s activities at the United Nations Development Programme office in the Thai capital. (TNA)