Top British diplomat offers aid to Thailand
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai in Bangkok on Monday to discuss UK-Thai relations, cooperation in fighting the illegal wildlife trade and bilateral trade and investment, the UK embassy says.
Other t opics on t he agenda will include the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and Thailand’s return to democracy, as well as other regional affairs, the embassy added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said Mr Johnson will arrive in the Thai capital tomorrow as its guest.
This will be his first visit to Thailand since the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council agreed to resume political contacts with the country at all levels on Dec 11.
It also reflects the importance of the two countries’ strategic partnership, the MFA said, adding Bangkok and London are keen for the high-level exchanges to strengthen cooperation in various areas.
Aerospace, fintech, and science, technology and innovation (STI) will be discussed alongside issues of regional and global concern, the ministry said.
“The UK is a country that goes out into the world to build and develop relationships and it will be a great pleasure to meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai,” the UK embassy in Bangkok quoted Mr Johnson as saying.
“Our relationship with Thailand spans a broad range of issues from bilateral trade and investment to regional security and the illegal wildlife trade. I look forward to further strengthening the UK’s relationship with Thailand in the future,” he added.
The meetings represent the last day of the British foreign secretary’s Asian swing after earlier stops in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, France’s Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is also scheduled to have a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Virasakdi Futrakul, the MFA said. During this visit, Mr Lemoyne will pay courtesy calls on Minister of Industry Uttama Savanayana, Minister of Science and Technology Suvit Maesincee, and PM’s Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool.
The purpose of the French minister of state’s visit to Thailand is to enhance economic relations through expansion and deepening of bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the targeted industries in the Eastern Economic Corridor and Thailand’s infrastructure development projects.