31-5-2024 (BANGKOK) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered an impassioned address to a gathering of around 300 esteemed members from the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham), and the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC) at the Thailand-US Trade and Investment Conference 2024 in Bangkok on Friday. His message was clear: Thailand stands ready to forge a new chapter in its economic partnership with the United States.
Mr Thavisin expressed his deep appreciation for the long-standing partnership with Amcham and commended their policy recommendations, including the “Five to Thrive” proposals aimed at streamlining business operations. He assured the delegates that these recommendations align seamlessly with the Thai government’s economic vision.
“We count on all of your support in raising our economic partnership to the next level,” the Prime Minister declared. “Please rest assured my government is here to listen and work with you. Like I always say — what should be done, will be done.”
Outlining his vision for the next chapter of the Thai-US economic partnership, Mr Thavisin envisaged an interconnected, green, and forward-looking relationship. He elucidated how his development agenda, Ignite Thailand, dovetails with this goal and highlighted the myriad opportunities awaiting US businesses in the kingdom.
Firstly, the Prime Minister expounded on logistics, underscoring his government’s ambition to transform Thailand into the connectivity hub of Southeast Asia. The country’s flagship megaproject, the Land Bridge, coupled with the new Southern Economic Corridor, will play a pivotal role in connecting trade and logistics routes from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean.
Secondly, Mr Thavisin shed light on the aviation sector, revealing his government’s accelerated plans to construct new airports and upgrade existing ones across the nation.
The third element revolves around establishing Thailand as the region’s digital economy hub. The Prime Minister extended an invitation to the US to lend its support in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, smart digital ecosystems, and infrastructure.
The fourth component centres on future mobility, where sustainability remains a paramount concern for the Thai government. Mr Thavisin highlighted that the kingdom’s green transition goal is one of the most ambitious in Southeast Asia.
Finally, tourism took centre stage, with Ignite Tourism Thailand 2025 spearheading the drive to cement the kingdom’s status as a world-class destination.
