Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visits Mandalay and Muse

Yangon, 13 March - Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand visited Mandalay and Muse on 11 and 12 March.

Princess Sirindhorn arrived in Myanmar at the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.

Accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife, Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand U Myo Myint and wife, Director-General of the Department of Myanmar Missions Abroad U Ko Ko Kyaw, and Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon and wife, the Princess left Yangon on 11 March.

On arrival at Mandalay International Airport in TadaU Township, Mandalay Division, at 9.30 am, Princess Sirindhorn was welcomed by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint and wife, Chairman of Mandalay City Development Committee Brig-Gen Yan Thein and wife, Deputy Chief Justice U Khin Maung Latt and wife, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win and wife, senior military officers, local authorities, division level officials, and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Working Committee for Women's Affairs.

School girls welcomed the Princess by waving the miniature flags of the two countries and chanting slogans wishing the Princess good health and further promotion and perpetuation of Myanmar-Thai relations.

Accompanied by the commander and wife, the Princess visited Galon Min Gold Foil Workshop and studied the process of making gold foils.

At the Myanan Sankyaw Palace, the Princess heard the history of the palace. Officials then conducted her round the palace. Later, she visited Shwenandaw Cultural Museum of the Department of Cultural Institute.

The commander and wife hosted luncheon in honour of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Yangyi Aung Villa. The Princess presented a souvenir to the commander, and the commander and wife also presented a gift to her.

The Princess then left Mandalay International Airport by special flight for Lashio in northern Shan State.

She was seen off at the airport by the commander and wife, high level officials and members of the social organizations.

The plane landed at Lashio Airport at 2.55 pm, and the Princess was welcomed by Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing and wife, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hla Myint, senior military officers, departmental officials and members of the social organizations.

Accompanied by the commander and wife, the Princess helicoptered to Muse. In Muse, she was welcomed by senior military officers, officials and cultural troupes of Muse and Namhkam townships.

At the Shwenandaw Tour Service, the Princess visited the jewellery and gem shops on the ground floor, and the Gems Mart on the second floor. She studied the map of Myanmar showing the places where 52 kinds of gems are mined.

In the compound of the centre, she enjoyed the tricks performed by the tamed elephants, and fed the animals. She then visited Muse Municipal Market. The Princess spent the night at Shweli Yadana Villa.

The next morning, she passed through Jiegao No 1 Border Point and visited Jiegao town in the People's Republic of China. On arrival at the town in a motorcade, she was welcomed by Vice Political Consultant Mr Jianjo Jian of Yunnan Province and officials of the PRC.

Accompanied by PRC officials, the Thai Princess visited the Jiegao Industrial Zone and went round the town in a motorcade. At Thiri Mingala Jiegao Monastery in the town, she paid obeisance to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Socinna. She also presented offertories to the Buddhist monk. During the visit to the town park, she planted a Bo tree to mark her visit.

The Princess then went back to Lashio by helicopter from Muse. She was seen off at the helicopter pad by senior officials and traditional dance troupes.