Tran Duc Luong arrives in Thailand

Tran Duc Luong arrives in Thailand

BANGKOK (AFP): Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong arrived here on Tuesday on the first visit to Thailand by a Vietnamese head of state since the two countries established diplomatic relations more than 20 years ago.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej welcomed Luong and his delegation of more than 60 officials and businesspeople, while women in traditional dress threw flowers as they walked down the red carpet at Bangkok's main military airport.

Luong will meet Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and business leaders during his three-day stay.

Roads to the airport were lined with the distinctive yellow star flags of Vietnam and hundreds of soldiers and officials gathered to greet Luong and witness his historic arrival.

Two guards collapsed in the searing heat as they waited on the tarmac for the president to arrive.