Susilo arrives in Bangkok

Susilo arrives in Bangkok

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, accompanied by wife Kristiani Herawati and a large entourage of aides and officials, arrived in Bangkok on Thursday for a three-day official visit at the invitation of the Thai government.

The President will have an audience with the Thai king and queen at the royal palace followed by official talks with the prime minister on counter-terror issues, bilateral trade, the fishing industry and energy.

He will also be meeting with bankers and industrialists, a well as giving an address and answering questions from members of the Thai-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon.

Thailand's prestigious Thammasart University will confer an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in political science upon the president.

Indonesia is a key member -- and most populous -- of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the official trip by Susilo is part of the customary visits to each ASEAN member state after taking office.

Susilo arrived in Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur where he attended the first East Asia Summit. -- dpa