Malaysian monarch pays historic visit to Laos

The Malaysian King and Queen have arrived in Vientiane for a three-day state visit to Laos.

The historic visit of the Malaysian monarch is in response to an invitation from President Choummaly Sayasone, and aims to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Laos and Malaysia.

The special Malaysian aircraft of His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah landed at Wattay International Airport at 10am on Monday.

A number of high-ranking Lao officials, including Minister of Energy and Mines Bosaikham Vongdara, greeted the royal couple at the airport, before they were officially welcomed by President Choummaly at the Presidential Palace in central Vientiane.

President Choummaly and the King of Malaysia listened to the national anthems of Laos and Malaysia played by the art troupe of the Lao People's Army and also inspected the guard of honour.

After the official welcome ceremony President Choummaly and the King of Malaysia held bilateral talks at the Presidential Palace. The talks were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

President Choummaly expressed a warm welcome to Their Majesties. He said the visit of the Malaysian monarch to Laos was historic, and would elevate Lao-Malaysian friendship and cooperation.

The two heads of state expressed appreciation of the fruitful cooperation between Laos and Malaysia, which they said brought real benefits to the people of both nations.

The Malaysian King expressed thanks to President Choummaly, the Lao government and Lao people for their warm welcome.

At 2:30pm, the royal couple and their delegation visited the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, which was built to commemorate the late President Kaysone Phomvihane, who was the first Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

President Kaysone was one of the key leaders in the Lao revolutionary movement and opened Laos to the world by introducing the Party's renovation policy.

At the museum, Their Majesties were warmly welcomed by museum staff, who told them about the history of Laos and the life of the late President Kaysone.

At 3:20pm, Their Majesties arrived at the Lao Handicraft Centre in Vientiane where they were shown several styles of handicraft.

That evening, President Choummaly hosted a state banquet for the royal couple at the Lao Plaza Hotel. A number of Lao songs and dances were performed to entertain guests.

Today, the Malaysian King will grant an audience to Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh. Their Majesties also plan to visit That Luang Stupa today before departing for the World Heritage town Luang Prabang.