Mahathir Makes Three-Day Visit to Thailand by Phairath Khampha 16 July 2002 Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Chiang Mai, Thailand on July 5, 2002 to a full red-carpet welcome and was showered with traditional Thai hospitality. Mahathir, Asia's longest-serving prime minister, was received by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the Air Force base there, where the two reviewed a guard of honour and witnessed a Thai classical dance performed by over 100 female dancers. Mahathir was accompanied on his three-day visit by Malaysian Foreign Minister Hamid Albar, Industry Minister Lim Kem Yalk and Agriculture Minister Mohamad Effendi. The visit was his first trip abroad since announcing his intention to step down after decades as the premier of the Islamic country. The two premiers and other delegates also visited two Chiang Mai sub-districts, Ban Jalieng and Ban Ton Pao, where Thaksin showed off his "One village, one product" project aimed at alleviating poverty and providing jobs for rural villagers. "I think this is an excellent idea," said Albar. "It gets people employed and at the same time there is an added value to their products." Hundreds of students, villagers and government officials greeted the delegates on their arrival with flags and banners welcoming the two visiting heads of government. Mahathir, accompanied by Thaksin at all times, visited just about all the stalls set up to display locally made handicrafts and speciality northern dishes. Later the two leaders held a private dinner at Chiang Mai University. Mahathir gave a keynote speech at a luncheon attended by Thai and foreign businessmen in Bangkok the following day. Thaksin hosted a dinner on his behalf that evening. The two premiers discussed several issues involving bilateral ties in Bangkok that afternoon including the gas-pipeline project, boundary demarcation and the separatist movement in the South of Thailand. Mahathir, one of the most outspoken Asian leaders, came under the international spotlight late in June when he tearfully told his party's congress that he would step down from his post and quit politics once and for all.