On 4 November 2019 at 08.00 – 08.20 hrs., General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Rtd.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Gist is as follows:  

         1 Human Resources Development: Prime Minister Prayut thanked the Government of Japan for announcing the Yen Loan grant worth 94,340 million Yen (approximately 2.7 billion Baht) at an interest rate of 0.5% to support the operation of KOSEN institutes in Thailand to produce Thai engineers and skilled workforce with a view to supporting Japan’s investment in the targeted industries in Thailand. At present, two KOSEN institutes have been established at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT).

         2 Promotion of SMEs and startups in Thailand: Both sides were pleased with the signing of  six (6) MOUs between Thai and Japanese large-scale companies and startups on 2 November 2019 to promote joint business operations and  develop innovation and modern technology in Thailand, which is in line with the Royal Thai Government’s policy on the promotion of the establishment of innovative startups under the Innospace (Thailand) project.

         3 Thailand-Japan cooperation in third countries: Both sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum on Japan-Thailand Partnership Programme Phase 3 (JTPP3) on 31 October 2019, which will build upon the existing cooperation between the two countries in providing development assistance to third countries, especially countries in the Mekong Subregion and ASEAN by utilizing the experiences, knowledge and best practices of the two countries.

         4. The two prime ministers also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, such as
(1) cooperation in ASEAN and G20 under the respective chairmanships of Thailand and Japan,
(2) cooperation in the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and Mekong-Japan frameworks, (3) cooperation in the development of targeted industries and infrastructure in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), (4) the situation in Rakhine State, and (5) cooperation in culture and sports.

         5. Both sides expressed determination to expedite the conclusion of the negotiation on the agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) during the 35^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, or at the latest by the end of this year in order for the agreement to enter into force at the earliest, which would benefit regional economy as whole. 

         6. Prime Minister Prayut wished Japan a successful hosting of 2020 Tokyo Olympics.