Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs held a telephone conversation with Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, in which Japan reaffirmed her support for Thailand to join CPTPP and both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of Special Arrangement between Thailand and Japan to facilitate short-term and essential travels of business people and specialised personnel at the earliest opportunity.

On 22 October 2020, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, had a telephone conversation with H.E. Mr. Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at the request of the Japanese side.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand on being appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and reaffirmed his readiness to working closely with the Thai side in strengthening relations between Thailand and Japan in all dimensions at the bilateral, regional and international levels. In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan reaffirmed Japan’s support for Thailand to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement of Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The two Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in the economic recoveries from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both sides were pleased with the implementation of the “Normal Track/Residence Track” (with 14-day quarantine), which has facilitated travels for businessmen, engineers and technicians of the two countries. They also agreed to expedite the conclusion of the Special Arrangement between Thailand and Japan with the view to facilitating short-term and essential travels of business people and specialised personnel of both countries at the earliest opportunity.

This conversation is a follow-up to the latest call between the two Ministers on 18 June 2020.