MALAYSIAN KING, QUEEN DEPART FOR HOME

From Suriati Sidek Ahmad

HANOI, March 16 (Bernama) -- The King, Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin, and Queen Tuanku Nur Zahirah departed for home Sunday at
the end of the seven-day state visit to Thailand and Vietnam, which started on
March 9.

The special aircraft carrying the royal couple lifted off from the VIP
terminal of the Non Bai International Airport here at about 3.30pm local time,
heading towards the Royal Malaysia Air Force base in Subang, Malaysia.

Also in the flight were Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed who is
the minister-in-attendance and his wife Azlina Ahmad as well as other
members of the royal entourage.

Vietnam's Presidential Office chairman Nguyen Van Chien was at the airport
to bid farewell to the royal couple.

The ruler's visit has further strengthened Malaysia's relations with the two
Asean countries.

In Thailand, Tuanku Mizan was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Political
Science by the Prince of Songkhla University.

In Hanoi, Tuanku Nur Zahirah became the first Queen to have
visited the SOS Children's Village.

-- BERNAMA