10-10-2024 (VIENTIANE) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand and her Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, have committed to strengthening their nations’ bilateral ties and enhancing economic and military cooperation. The two leaders engaged in productive discussions on the fringes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN summit held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
Following the meeting, Thai government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap reported that both premiers had agreed to fortify economic bonds, acknowledging Singapore’s position as the largest direct investor in Thailand. This commitment underscores the importance of the economic relationship between the two Southeast Asian nations.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn emphasised Thailand’s focus on developing its digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and digital transformation initiatives. She expressed her country’s keen interest in garnering support from Singapore in these critical areas, recognising the city-state’s advanced position in the tech sector.
The discussions also centred on enhancing food security cooperation. Paetongtarn urged her Singaporean counterpart to consider increasing imports of Thai agricultural products and foodstuffs, specifically mentioning organic eggs and pork. This proposal aligns with Thailand’s strategy to expand its agricultural export markets and Singapore’s ongoing efforts to diversify its food sources.
Tourism promotion was another key topic on the agenda, with both leaders agreeing to encourage travel between their respective countries. This mutual commitment could potentially boost the tourism sectors of both nations, which have been seeking to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the military front, Prime Minister Paetongtarn reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to continuing joint military exercises with Singapore. She also pledged to enhance cooperation in disaster management and cybersecurity, reflecting the growing importance of these areas in regional security discussions.
In a gesture of diplomatic goodwill, the Thai Prime Minister extended an invitation to Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to visit Thailand in the coming year. This visit would coincide with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, marking a significant milestone in their longstanding partnership.
