27-11-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to embark on a significant diplomatic mission to Bangkok tomorrow, marking a historic first as the inaugural foreign head of government to be received by Thailand’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister’s Office announced today.
The high-profile visit, scheduled for November 28, will feature a distinguished agenda including a royal audience with Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, underscoring the diplomatic importance of the engagement. PM Paetongtarn, who assumed office in August, will host an official lunch for Wong and his delegation.
This visit builds upon recent diplomatic momentum between the two leaders, following their meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane last month. Their diplomatic rapport was initially established in September when Wong extended his congratulations to Paetongtarn upon her appointment.
The Bangkok visit represents the latest in Wong’s series of introductory regional engagements since assuming leadership in May, following successful diplomatic missions to Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, and Indonesia. The Singaporean delegation will include Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, alongside senior officials from the PMO and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During Wong’s absence, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will assume the role of acting prime minister.
The timing of this visit carries particular significance as Singapore and Thailand approach their 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, a relationship that dates back to 1965. The bilateral partnership has flourished across multiple sectors, with both nations maintaining strong economic ties as mutual ninth-largest trading partners as of last year.
The relationship extends beyond trade to encompass collaborative efforts in education, tourism, and defence, highlighting the multifaceted nature of their bilateral cooperation.
