Banchong Chuernklin, 47, of Noinan Fruits in Aor Tor Kor Market, met Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg when he stopped by on Monday.

"He looked at durians on the stall and seemed to be interested, but his entourage warned him that they might cause diarrhoea, but when I told him through his interpreter that he could taste one, he said he'd like to," she said.

She cleaned a knife and peeled him one.

"He picked it up in his hand, tasted it and said it was delicious," she said.

After offering him a mangosteen, which he also liked, Banchong told his entourage that she would like him to have them free of charge, but they said

they could not possibly impose on her.

The Grand Duke bought four kilograms of durian for Bt1,000, and she included other fruits free of charge.

"He asked me why, and I said: 'You are most welcome as the guest of my dearly beloved King.' When it was translated I saw him smile," she said.

The next day, to her surprise, a police officer called and told her that the Grand Duke had been most impressed by her words about His Majesty and by the love that Thais bore for their King.

"I'm so glad. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for an ordinary person like me to meet a foreign monarch," said Banchong. "I hope he comes to Thailand again."

Meanwhile Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan yesterday arrived at Phuket International Airport, where he was greeted by the provincial governor and local officials.

The Crown Prince, wearing a yellow T-shirt with the royal ceremonial emblem, impressed his hosts by pressing his hands together in a wai.

Governer Udomsak Assawa-rangkura gave the Crown Prince a leather Buddha image before he left the airport to stay at the Amanpuri Phuket Resort.