His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam left Bangkok, Thailand yesterday afternoon, after concluding an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Thailand.

Before leaving for the airport, a doa selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at the Don Mueang Military Airport to bid farewell to His Majesty were Air Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, Privy Counselor; General Yuthasak Sasiprapha, Deputy Prime Minister; Arak Chonlatanond, Minister of Energy as the Minister-in-Attendance; Apichart Phetaratna, Ambassador of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam; and other senior officials from the Government of Thailand.

Also present at the airport was Dato Paduka Awang Haji Kamis bin Haji Tamin, the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Kingdom of Thailand, as well as officials from the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Thailand. Before boarding the Royal Aircraft, His Majesty walked past a static guard mounted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and was also presented with a pesambah from General Yuthasak Sasiprapha and a garland from Air Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk.

Earlier, His Majesty visited the 11th Infantry Regiment of the King's Guard, Royal Thai Armed Forces in Don Mueang, where His Majesty viewed a demonstration of the Royal Thai Armed Forces' military capabilities.

The monarch arrived in Bangkok on Friday, June 29 and made a goodwill call on His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand at the Sommit Thewara of the Grand Palace the following day.

His Majesty also met Yingluck Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of Thailand at the Government House, and had a four-eye meeting with the Prime Minister.

"His Majesty's visit to Thailand is not only a great honour for Thailand, but since many key ministers and officers from Brunei also joined His Majesty to meet with their counterparts, the two countries and Asean hugely benefitted from this visit," Thai Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong had said. - Borneo Bulletin (3 July 2012)