Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived in this southern resort province today for a three-day official visit, Thailand's news agency "TNA" reported. He will hold talks with his Thai counterpart Gen. Surayud Chulanont on ways to end violence in restive southern Thailand. On arrival at Phuket International Airport, Badawi was greeted by Gen. Surayud. The two leaders will hold talks on a number of issues of concern to the two countries including Malaysia's help in restoring peace in the three southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. Other major issues to be raised during the discussions are efforts to sort out the problem of dual citizenship to enable authorities monitor movements of criminals crisscrossing the common border to be stepped up, strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, social and culture, and to exchange knowledge on developing human resources in Thailand's three southernmost provinces. They will have a joint audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok tomorrow before formal discussions at Government House.
