BANGKOK, Oct 18: US President George W. Bush arrived in Thailand under tight security on Saturday for an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit where he will shore up alliances in the war on terrorism.

Mr Bush and his wife Laura, who are making a state visit to Thailand as guests of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, arrived on Air Force One at Bangkok’s military airport after an eight-hour state visit to the Philippines. “I think security is on the agenda. What I’m trying to do, and will do, is to remind people that the war on terror goes on,” he said in Manila.

The US leader, who waved at onlookers as he alighted, was greeted by Bangkok Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as well as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Bush was then whisked off in a motorcade to the downtown hotel where he will be staying.

In the Philippines, he pledged funds and training to help the United States’ Southeast Asian ally quash regional extremists.

Mr Bush has vowed to use the October 20-21 gathering of the 21-member APEC grouping to push for greater cooperation to defeat extremists.—AFP