Thai PM arrives in Saudi Arabia, easing diamond heist row

In this photo released by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, front left, talks to Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Thailand's prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the first high-level meeting since relations between the nations soured three decades ago over a sensational jewelry heist that led to a diplomatic row and string of mysterious killings.- AP

DUBAI, Jan 25 (AP): Thailand's prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the first high-level meeting since relations between the nations soured three decades ago over a sensational jewelry heist that led to a diplomatic row and string of mysterious killings.

The official visit by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha to Riyadh signals the nations are seeking to thaw relations, long chilled by the 1989 scandal. Saudi Arabia downgraded its diplomatic ties with Thailand over the theft that became known as the Blue Diamond affair.