BANGKOK, Jan 18 — His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday told visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Japan is a model for natural disaster response and dealing appropriately with other problems, as he expressed appreciation for the close ties between the two countries.
Mr Abe and his wife Mrs Akie Abe, who were on a two-day official visit to Thailand, were granted an audience by His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital on Thursday evening.
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra led the Japanese premier to the audience with the monarch.
Mr Abe then presented His Majesty the King a letter from the Japanese emperor, conveying his thanks to the Thai people for their kindness in extending assistance to the Japanese people in the time of their disasters.
The monarch, in his reply, praised Japan for its technological advancement, fortitude and harmony, which he hoped would lead the Japanese people to weather their time of trials, catastrophes and economic hardships which occurred in their country.
The king expressed his belief that the Japanese response and approach to their problems would provide a good example for other countries.
King Bhumibol also expressed admiration for the close ties enjoyed by the two royal families and the peoples of Japan and Thailand, which he said would help the already good bilateral relations to be further strengthened.
