Prabowo Arrives In Thailand To Strengthen Indonesia's Bilateral Cooperation 'Thailand

JAKARTA The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, arrived at Don Mueang Royal Thai Air Force Base Airport, Thailand, Saturday, May 17 at 22.00 local time, to start an official working visit to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Thailand.

Prabowo, wearing a brown safari and black cap uniform, was greeted by Thai top officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira, Minister of Trade Pichai Naripthaphan, and Thai Ambassador to Indonesia Prapan Disyat.

Also attending to accompany, the Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand Rachmat Budiman and the Indonesian Defense Attache Colonel Cke. Faisal Rahmat Hutagalung.

After receiving an honorary line from the Thai military, Prabowo continued his journey to the hotel where he spent the night in Bangkok. He arrived at 22:37 and was greeted enthusiastically by dozens of Indonesian diaspora residents, students, and Indonesian Embassy staff who had been waiting since night.

"Good night, welcome Mr. President!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

Two elementary school children, Fairuz and Yusuf, appeared in the front row wearing traditional East Nusa Tenggara clothing. They handed over a bouquet of light and white blue flowers, which they had prepared the day before.

"I'm really nervous, until now I'm still nervous," said Yusuf, being greeted by Fairuz who added, "But happy to meet in person."

Even though it was short, the moment of the meeting brought great hope. To President Prabowo, the two of them offered prayers so that education in Indonesia would be more advanced and evenly distributed.

"Hopefully the President is always healthy and education in Indonesia will get better," they said.

President Prabowo's visit to Thailand is scheduled to discuss cooperation in a number of strategic sectors, including economy, defense, and education, which are expected to bring real benefits to both countries.