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PM Sheikh Hasina Commences Six-Day Official Visit to Thailand
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina embarked on a six-day official visit to Thailand today (24 April) at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin, aiming to enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.
Accompanied by her entourage, the premier departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:13 am aboard a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, according to the premier’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam.
The aircraft is scheduled to land at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok at 1:30 pm local time.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, during a media briefing on Monday, highlighted the significance of the visit, stating that it would foster new avenues of cooperation between Bangladesh and Thailand.
This visit marks the premier’s first bilateral engagement since the formation of the current government in January.
During her visit, Sheikh Hasina will engage in bilateral discussions with Thai Prime Minister Thavisin and participate in the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Several cooperation documents are set to be signed, including a letter of intent on negotiations for a free trade agreement, an agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders, and various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering energy cooperation and tourism sector collaboration.
The visit will also provide an opportunity to explore the potential Free Trade Agreement between the two countries and address issues such as the Rohingya repatriation process and bilateral cooperation in investment, tourism, energy, and connectivity.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to receive a formal welcome from her Thai counterpart and engage in bilateral talks at the Government House. She will also attend a state lunch hosted by the Thai Prime Minister.
Additionally, the prime minister will have a Royal audience with Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan, King and Queen of Thailand.
In her multilateral engagements, Sheikh Hasina will participate in the 80th Session of ESCAP and deliver a speech, focusing on leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.
The session aims to facilitate region-wide cooperation in utilizing digital innovation to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
