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Thai King Makes Historic State Visit to Vietnam, Piloting His Own Plane
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Rama X, arrived in Hanoi piloting his own aircraft for a historic state visit, the first by a Thai King and Queen since diplomatic ties were established. The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, or Rama X, and Queen Suthida of Thailand are on a state visit to Vietnam through September 16 at the invitation of Party General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse. The monarch arrived in Hanoi on September 14, piloting his own aircraft to Noi Bai International Airport. This marks the first state visit to Vietnam by a Thai King and Queen since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976. The King had previously visited Vietnam as Crown Prince in 1992 and 1997. The 74-year-old monarch, who ascended the throne in 2016, has a background in the Royal Thai Armed Forces and is a qualified pilot for both civilian and military aircraft. Queen Suthida also holds a commercial pilot license and previously worked as a flight attendant. Both possess commercial pilot licenses issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and are qualified to fly several types of aircraft. Upon arrival, the royal couple was greeted by Chairman of the Office of the President Le Khanh Hai, Hanoi People's Committee Chairman Vu Dai Thang, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung. Accompanying the King were Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, serving as minister in attendance, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya, and other senior officials. Ambassador Pham Viet Hung highlighted the visit's particular significance, calling it a new milestone in the five decades of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand. The two nations upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on May 16, 2025, with an action program for 2026-2031 signed on May 28, 2026. Thailand is Vietnam's largest trading partner within ASEAN, with two-way trade reaching $22.1 billion in 2025, a 9% increase from 2024, and exceeding $15.03 billion in the first seven months of 2026. More than 100,000 Vietnamese live in Thailand, and between 2,000 and 3,000 Vietnamese are studying or conducting research there. Vietnam, a growing economic power in Southeast Asia, navigates its relationship with China while fostering regional ties. This royal visit underscores Vietnam's diplomatic efforts and the importance of ASEAN integration.
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VnExpress International