Thailand and Singapore Strengthen Bilateral Ties During Landmark Wong’s Visit

Bangkok, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong held high-level talks on Thursday, focusing on food security, energy security, the green economy, and digital connectivity. The meeting marked Mr Wong’s first official visit to Thailand since assuming office in May and was his debut as the first foreign head of government hosted by Ms Paetongtarn.

Significance of the Visit

The visit precedes next year’s celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Singapore. Thailand was among the first nations to recognize Singapore’s independence in 1965. During the joint press conference, Prime Minister Paetongtarn highlighted the historical milestone and expressed aspirations for deeper cooperation.

“This visit is an opportunity to improve ties further and plan for future collaboration,” she said, adding that both countries anticipate increased high-level exchanges in the coming year. Ms Paetongtarn also expressed her intent to visit Singapore next year and welcome Singapore’s president to Thailand.

Key Agreements and Discussions

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on postgraduate scholarships for Thai civil servants, symbolizing a shared commitment to human resources development. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including:

• Food Security: Thailand pledged to support Singapore by exporting premium rice and organic eggs.
• Green Economy: The leaders explored opportunities for collaboration on carbon credits and renewable energy production, including hydrogen and biofuels.
• Digital Connectivity: Building on initiatives such as the PayNow-PromptPay cross-border payment system, the leaders discussed enhancing digital finance and stock exchange linkages.
• Defence and Training: Singapore expressed gratitude for Thailand’s support of the Singapore Armed Forces’ training programs.

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub noted that the leaders also discussed the ongoing Myanmar crisis, expressing hopes that next month’s informal consultations in Bangkok would contribute to resolving the situation.

Prime Minister Wong’s Remarks

Mr Wong described Thailand as an “old friend,” praising the strong trade, investment, and defence ties between the two nations. He highlighted past achievements, including the world’s first instant cross-border payment system, and expressed optimism about future collaborations in the green economy and food security.

“Thailand is stepping up its production of green power, and we are keen to work together on carbon credits, which would open up new opportunities for our companies,” he said.

Mr Wong also lauded Thailand’s leadership as the chair of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which aims to deepen ASEAN’s digital integration.

Strengthening ASEAN Ties

The visit reaffirmed the mutual commitment of Thailand and Singapore to regional stability and cooperation within the ASEAN framework. Both leaders emphasized the importance of joint efforts in addressing regional challenges and leveraging shared opportunities in sustainability and innovation.

This milestone meeting underscores the enduring friendship and forward-looking partnership between Thailand and Singapore as they prepare to commemorate six decades of diplomatic relations.