19-12-2023 (BANGKOK) Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thanacharo recently held bilateral meetings with leaders from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia on the sidelines of the commemorative summit in Tokyo, marking Japan’s 50 years of cooperation with ASEAN countries. These discussions aimed to strengthen ties and explore opportunities for collaboration in various sectors.
During his conversation with Vietnam President Võ Văn Thưởng, Prime Minister Srettha agreed to reinstate Cabinet meetings between Thailand and Vietnam. The first meeting is proposed to take place in May next year, with a focus on discussing the price of rice to enhance income for farmers.
President Võ suggested the idea of promoting seamless tourism among Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. This would allow tourists to travel between these countries without the need for separate visas. Prime Minister Srettha praised the concept as innovative and vowed to instruct Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol to engage in discussions and collaborate on initiatives to boost tourism across the four nations.
In his discussions with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Prime Minister Srettha addressed multiple issues, including the establishment of a Thai consulate in Siem Reap to accommodate the growing number of tourists visiting the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex. Hun Manet expressed gratitude for the care provided to Cambodian workers in Thailand.
During talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Prime Minister Srettha confirmed Indonesia’s purchase of 2 million tonnes of Thai rice. This increase in rice exports to Indonesia is notable due to severe drought and delayed rainy seasons caused by the El Niño phenomenon. President Widodo also pledged to send officials to meet Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow early next year, aiming to further strengthen the demand and price of Thai rice.
Furthermore, President Widodo showed interest in Thailand’s ambitious 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project. Prime Minister Srettha expressed enthusiasm for further discussions on the project, indicating that talks will be scheduled in the near future.
These bilateral meetings serve as crucial platforms for fostering diplomatic relations, exploring economic opportunities, and enhancing cooperation between Thailand and its ASEAN counterparts.
