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The Supreme Administrative Court will play host to the 9th Congress of the International Association of Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions (IASAJ) between November 22 and 24 at the Shangri-La Hotel.

It will be the first IASAJ Congress for Thailand and Asia, Supreme Administrative Court president Ackaratorn Chularat said on Monday.

Ackaratorn also serves as the association's president.

The congress is one of the activities being held to celebrate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday in December.

The presidents and delegation leaders taking part in the congress are scheduled to have an audience with His Majesty on November 23 to offer him their good wishes, Ackaratorn told a press conference on Monday.

This year's IASAJ congress focuses on the topic, "The Status of Administrative Judges", with discussions to be held on the first day of the event. The association's board meeting takes place on the second day and will report on its performance and select a nation to host the next IASAJ Congress.

A ceremony to hand over the association's presidency will take place on the last day, said Ackaratorn.

Participants in the congress will have a chance to visit Bangkok's landmarks including the Marble Temple, the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and the Grand Palace. They will go on a Chao Phraya River boat tour and take part in the Loy Kratong Festival, which will take place at the time of the meeting.

The IASAJ held its first congress in Paris in 1983. It has since been held every three years, with the last one taking place in Madrid in 2004.