HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam safely arrived in Chiang Mai, Thailand yesterday to attend the Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) held here May 19 and 20.

Present at the Air Force Base, Chiang Mai to greet His Majesty were Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; Thanin Suphasen, Governor of Chiang Mai; Chakarin Chayabongse, Director-General of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand; and officers from the Government of Thailand.

Also present at the Air Force Base, Chiang Mai were Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II and Awang Haji Aizul Sofrin bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Aziz, Charge d’Affaires of Brunei Embassy in Thailand.

His Majesty later proceeded to the Shangri-La Hotel where His Majesty will reside during the sum-mit. Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by George Baird, the General Manager of the hotel and staff.

Thailand hosts the Second APWS which will focus on the theme “Water Security and Water-related Disaster Challenges: Leadership and Commitment”. The summit will provide Asia-Pacific leaders, stakeholders from all sectors dealing with various water-related problems, and the international community an opportunity to jointly explore water-related issues and challenges with concrete solutions.

The summit is also a unique opportunity to exchange views on best practices for sustainable water resources management; to promote active dialogues among regional leaders on water-related policy priorities and commitments; and to facilitate more effective regional cooperation in water security in Asia and the Pacific.

Earlier, before His Majesty left the Istana Nurul Iman, a Doa Selamat was recited by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at the His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight Hangar in Rimba to bid farewell to the monarch were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.

Also present at the hangar were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Cheterias; Speaker of the State Legislative Council; Cabinet Ministers; Members of Councils; Deputy Ministers; the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces; the Commissioner of Police; and Madam Siripon Thaitrong, Charge d’Affaires of the Thai Embassy in Brunei Darussalam.

Accompanying His Majesty to Chiang Mai, Thailand is Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Minister of Development. - Borneo Bulletin (20 May 2013)