Besides a warm welcome from shopkeepers and other shoppers, she was presented with souvenirs from the market director and some shopkeepers. She also bought three pairs of hand-made wicker sandals for Bt1,000.

The princess also showed an interest in Thai silk products, stone accessories and leather shoes.

The princess then visited the fruit and vegetable market of the Market Organisation for Farmers next to the Weekend Market.

A stone accessory shopkeeper said the princess was interested in turquoise necklaces. A fabric shop owner said he prepared a piece of Thai silk with gold braid for monarchs visiting his shop.

Many said they were proud that such a guest of His Majesty the King was interested in the market and that the royal visit would help promote the market and Thai goods.

Bang Sue Police Station superintendent Colonel Paisal Kotchasap said police officers both in uniform and in plain clothes provided international standard security to the princess at the market.

The market director said he presented miniature Thai food and replicas of Thai traditional ways of life to the princess.

Meanwhile, Prince Henrik, the husband of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, took a sightseeing boat trip on the Chao Phya River on his 72nd birthday yesterday.

The prince, in yellow T-shirt with the Royal Emblem on the left pocket, took the boat at the Oriental Hotel pier.

He smiled and greeted people welcoming him at the site.

He celebrated his 72nd birthday at a dinner hosted by the Royal Danish Embassy in Thailand.