Thailand seeks to build all-around co-operative relations with Vietnam

These comments were made in a recent interview conducted with a VOV correspondent in Thailand prior to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Thailand and his attendance at the 29th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok from November 16 to November 19.

According to details given by Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat who served as Thai Ambassador to Vietnam from 2018-2021, Thailand has made every effort to prepare for the APEC Year 2022 and the APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW) over the past three years, not only in terms of guidelines and policies, but also in all other aspects of preparation.

The neighbouring country is largely focused on drafting three important documents, including the Declaration of APEC Economic Leaders, the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model, and the Joint Ministerial Statement

“We hope that APEC leaders will discuss and approve the Declaration of APEC Economic Leaders’ at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting slated for November 19.

The Bangkok goal of the Bio-Circular-Green economy model will create an important milestone and legacy for the year of Thailand being the host of APEC, and at the same time helping APEC member economies develop sustainably, overcome challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other new infectious diseases that may occur in the future,” he said

Through the Bangkok document on the BCG economy model, APEC member economies will begin to transform more strongly, thereby shifting to a more sustainable economic model.

Furthermore, the Joint Ministerial Statement will outline the contents discussed at the APEC Economic Ministers' Meeting, with the event scheduled to take place on November 17.

Regarding the enhanced strategic partnership between the two nations, as well as Vietnamese contributions during APEC 2022 and the APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW), Sangrat said that Vietnam represents a great economic power. In terms of economics, politics, and strategy, the country is not only a very important partner of Thailand, but is also a vital part of Southeast Asia.

In terms of ASEAN, Thailand represents the largest Vietnamese economic and trade partner, whilst the nation is also Thailand's largest investment destination.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit more than one million Vietnamese tourists visited Thailand annually. Therefore, the country is both a popular tourist destination and a major source of travelers for Thailand.

Overall, the nation plays an important role, is an important member, and is an important economic partner in APEC. Previously, Vietnam was also the host of APEC.

Moving forward, both countries, as well as APEC member economies, will work closely together as a means of promoting their economies as they seek to develop more sustainably in the future, the Thai official went on to say.

Assessing the prospect for greater bilateral ties in multiple fields over the coming years, especially when the two countries will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2023, Sangrat stated that both Vietnam and Thailand boast great potential for promoting bilateral co-operation.

In line with this, Vietnam is an emerging and fast-growing economy that has a relatively young population of nearly 100 million.

Moreover, it is an important market for Thailand and other countries, whilst also being an important investment destination for Thai firms, he added.

The regionalisation of investment with millions of Asians is therefore dependent on Thailand and Vietnam, meaning the two countries should make greater efforts in order to strengthen bilateral economic co-operation.

Socially, there are very deep relations that exist between Vietnam and Thailand. In Thailand, there is a large Vietnamese community that serves as a bridge for the close-knit relationship between the two countries, the spokesperson added.