Foreigner denied entry to Malacañang for Thai PM welcome

Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. AP FILE PHOTO

A foreigner claiming to be part of a contingent attending the welcome ceremony of Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha was forced to leave the premises of the Malacañang compound on Friday morning.

READ: Thai prime minister meets Aquino in Malacañang

The man, who appeared to be Caucasian, briefly argued with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) just outside the Malacañang Palace Grounds, as witnessed by INQUIRER.net.

The incident happened several minutes before Prayut arrived and met President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang.

PO2 Ariel Malana of the PSG later told INQUIRER.net that the man wanted to attend the event but was obviously not invited since he was wearing casual attire.

The man, who rode a taxi going to Malacañang, was unable to present an identification card.

He was carrying a large gym bag but Malana said it seemed to contain only clothes.

The man said his name was “Pearce.”

Prohibited from entering the gates of Malacañang, he was forced to leave the area. Kristine Angeli Sabillo, INQUIRER.net/CDG