BANGKOK, Sept 5 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah yesterday called on Malaysians living in Thailand to always protect Malaysia’s good name and image.

At the same time, he said the people must show their respect to Thai customs and culture under any circumstances throughout their stay in Thailand.

Addressing Malaysian citizens living in Thailand at a dinner hosted by Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Nazirah Hussain, at the Malaysian Embassy here, Tuanku Abdul Halim also touched on the importance of Malaysia-Thailand bilateral ties. 

At present, there are 471 Malaysians living in Thailand, mostly businessmen and professional workers.

He said although diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Thailand had existed since 1957, the close relationship between the Malay states and was established long before that when the country was called Siam.

Today, Tuanku Abdul Halim said the government and the people of Malaysia had

interests in various fields, including trade and investment, tourism, education and agriculture, in Thailand.

“I believe that it is important for Malaysia to strengthen the close ties and cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international levels with Thailand,” he said.

Also present at the dinner was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah.

Tuanku Abdul Halim also commended the Bangkok Malaysia Club for being active in organising social activities to strengthen ties between fellow

Malaysians, and the Malaysia-Thailand Chamber of Commerce (MTCC) for bringing the Malaysian and Thai business communities closer.

“I hope their active participation will persist and be improved in the future for the benefit of the people in the two countries,” he said.

He also said that he prayed that Malaysians in Thailand would continue to be blessed, successful and safe.

Tuanku Abdul Halim and Tuanku Hajah Haminah arrived here yesterday for a three-day state visit to Thailand.

This is the third Asean member country visited by Their Majesties after Indonesia and Brunei last year.

Their Majesties are scheduled to leave for Vietnam tomorrow (Thursday). – Bernama