16-11-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand and Japan have reached an agreement on a reciprocal visa-free arrangement for their respective business communities, announced Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The agreement aims to facilitate business contacts, allowing Thai and Japanese businesspeople to visit each other without the need for prior visa applications. The two leaders, after a meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, emphasized the importance of fostering strong business ties and facilitating smoother interactions.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin highlighted the significance of the agreement, stating, “This is to facilitate business contacts. It is good that both sides share the agreement.” He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would assess the appropriate length of stay, suggesting that it should be relatively long to support extended business visits.
In addition to the visa-free arrangement, Prime Minister Srettha assured Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Thailand’s ongoing support for the production of Japanese vehicles with internal combustion engines. While Japanese automakers have been pioneers in various global markets, they have been relatively slower in the development and production of electric vehicles (EVs), focusing more on hybrid models. Despite the global shift towards EVs, the Thai Prime Minister emphasized the importance of addressing Japan’s significant investments in Thailand’s automotive sector.
Speaking on the matter, Prime Minister Srettha stated, “There is high demand for electric vehicles, and I have told many forums that Japan has been the biggest investing country in Thailand for 30 years. So, this must be taken care of.” He emphasized that Japan had affirmed the significance of the automotive business and expressed its commitment to its continued development in Thailand.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kishida proposed the establishment of an Asian zero-emissions community, wherein Japan and other Asian countries would collaborate to transition to clean energy. This proposal aligns with the broader efforts to address environmental concerns and promote sustainable practices. Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are marking their 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation, with a summit scheduled in Tokyo from December 16 for three days.
