Kuala Lumpur - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is to begin his official visit Thursday in Malaysia by meeting with Malaysian leader Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for talks expected to include security and other issues between the South-East Asian neighbours.

Samak and his delegation arrived late Wednesday and were received by Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim and Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung.

The premier then joined a dinner reception at the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The visit marks Samak's first to Malaysia since becoming premier on January 28.

Samak is due to hold talks later Thursday with Badawi, with an agenda including Thailand's ongoing problems quelling a bloody separatist struggle in its three southernmost, majority Muslim states.

Mainly Muslim Malaysia has in the past offered assistance to its northern neighbour to help resolve the unrest.

Samak is scheduled to have an audience with Malaysian King Mizan Zainal Abidin at the royal palace after meeting with Abdullah.

The premier and his delegation are expected to leave for Thailand later Thursday. (dpa)