The cheering crowd waved small national flags of Thailand and Bhutan and chanted praise for the crown prince as he emerged from his car shortly before 3pm.

Prince Jigme visited the Bhutan Garden at the exposition and officially handed it over to Thai authorities. The Royal Bhutan government created the garden at a cost of nearly Bt10 million as a permanent gift to mark HM the King's 60th year on the throne.

Prince Jigme has been popular in Thailand since his visit in June to attend the official celebrations of the 60th anniversary of HM the King's accession to the throne.

"My friends, relatives and I came here to greet Prince Jigme. We come in a group of 60 people," said Achara Sae-lim, 50. She said the group hired a bus to take them from Chon Buri, east of Bangkok, to the country's North, hoping to get a glimpse of the Bhutanese prince.

"We left Chon Buri two days ago," she said, smiling.

Achara said she was delighted to be able to get so close to Prince Jigme. "I am impressed by his good looks, nice personality and goodwill towards Thais," she said.

Despite the searing heat, she and thousands of other visitors to the exposition crammed together to greet the prince.

Police Colonel Chamnarn Ruadrew, deputy commander of Chiang Mai police, said people had lined up along most of the roads that Prince Jigme travelled along.

"People waved at the prince. Some girls even screamed," Chamnarn said.

Before his visit to the floral exposition, Prince Jigme visited Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep Voraviharn to pay his respects. During his tour of the temple, the prince warmly greeted Thai and foreign tourists with a wai (palms pressed together in a gesture of respect).

The Nation

Chiang Mai