McAleese arrives in Thailand for visit

President Mary McAleese has arrived in Thailand on the first leg of her seven-day visit to South East Asia.

Mrs McAleese, who is the first ever Irish President to visit Thailand, will later meet representatives of the Irish community at a reception hosted by the Irish ambassador to the region, Dan Mulhall.

On her arrival at Bangkok International Airport, the President was greeted by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Labour and Social Welfare.

This is the first stop on the President's seven-day tour of South East Asia, which also includes a state visit to Malaysia.