Bahrain and Thailand have pledged to promote bilateral relations and co-operation, as HRH King Hamad received Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at his residence in Bangkok.

The leaders discussed ways of bolstering GCC-Asean relations in economic and trade sectors, as well as in food security and energy, our sister newspaper, the Gulf Daily News reported.

The King hosted a lunch banquet in honour of Prime Minister Shinawatra, in the presence of Thai ministers.

He then visited the headquarters of the Thai Royal Guard first artillery regiment, accompanied by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Royal Court Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

His Majesty was received by Royal Thai Army Commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Commander of the first infantry regiment of the Thai Royal Guard and senior officers of the Royal Thai Army. He met senior officers and was briefed on the responsibilities of the regiment. He placed a wreath at the memorial of the fifth king of Thailand and signed the VIP book.

The King later hosted a reception at his residence in Bangkok.

It was attended by Chancellor Kamul Tafacul, a member of the Royal Thai advisory board and representative of the King of Thailand, Thai ministers, businessmen, diplomats, senior officials and guests.

Meanwhile, a Bahraini-Thai forum was held on the sidelines of the visit. It was presided over by Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro and Thai Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong.

It was attended by Bahrain's Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi, King's media adviser Nabeel Al Hamer, diplomatic affairs adviser Dr Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar, businessmen, investors representing private sector companies in both kingdoms and representatives of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Joint Bahraini-Thai Business Council.

Three agreements were signed at the event, the first between Bahrain-based Thai-Bahrain Trade Centre and Bangkok-based Thai-Bahrain Trade Centre Company in food security, agriculture, health, therapeutics, tourism and building materials.

The second deal between the Bahrain-Thai Trade Centre Company and Thailand-based Saha Farms Company for investment in the field of poultry; and the third between the BCCI and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand to enhance co-operation. – TradeArabia News Service