Việt Nam paid its last respects to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday with Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc leading a high-ranking delegation of Party and State officials to lay a wreath at the Dusit Maha Prasat Palace in Bangkok.  — Photo nld.com.vn

BANGKOK — Việt Nam paid its last respects to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday with Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc leading a high-ranking delegation of Party and State officials to lay a wreath at the Dusit Maha Prasat Palace in Bangkok. 

Later, the PM wrote in the condolence book that the leaders and people of Việt Nam had always treasured the King’s sentiments towards the Vietnamese people, as well as his precious contributions to the growth of friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries. 

On behalf of the Thai Royal Family, Government and people, the King’s Deputy Principal Private Secretary Chittrapat Krairiksh acknowledged the appreciation of the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and people for the Thai King who passed away on October 13 at the age of 88. 

The Thai Government has set a mourning period of one year, and all entertainment events and festivities have been restricted for one month. 

To the Thai people, the late monarch symbolised national unity. His birthday is also celebrated in the kingdom as Father’s Day and the National Day. 

Friendship association

During his short visit to Thailand, Phúc lauded the Thailand-Việt Nam Friendship Association for its contributions to developing the strategic partnership between the two countries. 

Meeting with association chairman Prachuab Chaiyasan, the PM said he hoped they would continue to boost people-to-people exchanges. 

Prachuab informed Phúc about the plan to hold the annual meeting with the Việt Nam-Thailand Friendship Association in Khon Kaen, Thailand in December. 

He proposed that the two friendship associations co-ordinate with the Thai Foreign Ministry to introduce King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s concept of "sufficiency economy" to Việt Nam, adding it was already being applied by Laos, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. 

He also informed the Prime Minister that his association intends to build a friendship hospital in Việt Nam’s Nghệ An Province, using both Vietnamese and Thai traditional medicine to treat patients.

Also yesterday, Phúc received President of the Siam Cement Group (SCG), Roongrote Rangsiyopash, and President of SCG Chemicals, Cholanat Yanaranop. 

The SCG has operated in Việt Nam since 1992, producing tiles, industrial packaging and PVC plastic, among other products. SCG and PetroVietnam are joint investors in the Long Sơn petrochemical complex (LSP), which has a total investment of US$5-6 billion. 

Roongrote said his company would apply advanced technologies, ensure labour safety and keep environmental commitments in line with Vietnamese regulations while carrying out the LSP project. 

Phúc praised SCG for its operations and the benefits it has brought to Việt Nam. 

He said he was looking forward to the success of the LSP project, expecting it to become a prominent symbol of bilateral ties. 

The Vietnamese Government is willing to create favourable conditions for Thai investors, he said.— VNS