The Prime Minister of Thailand supported the establishment of health dialogues with the ROK both under ASEAN and bilateral frameworks and called for full utilisation of the ASEAN-ROK Free Trade Area and the development of digital economy to promote economic recovery, while inviting the ROK to support ASEAN in smart infrastructure, smart cities, green development and human capital development.

On 12 November 2020, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, participated in the 21st ASEAN- Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit via videoconference. The Prime Minister of Thailand welcomed the adoption of the new ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action and the ROK’s deliberation on modernising the New Southern Policy, including the establishment of centres in various fields to strengthen people-centred society, as well as enhancing human security. These are in line with Thailand’s policies, which focus on sustainable development and inclusive growth while leaving no one behind.

On public health, the Prime Minister of Thailand expressed appreciation for the ROK’s contribution to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and exchange of experiences and good practices in responding to public health emergencies. Thailand supported the establishment of health dialogues with the ROK both under the ASEAN and bilateral frameworks. These include an ASEAN-ROK ministerial meeting on public health and sharing of best practices in science, technology and innovation, such as research and development of anti-viral vaccines and medicines.

On economic recovery and improving people’s livelihood, the Prime Minister of Thailand emphasised that regional economic integration and supply chain resilience between ASEAN and Korea should be further enhanced to increase two-way trade and investment flows. He also suggested the full utilisation of the ASEAN-ROK Free Trade Area, the ASEAN-ROK Economic Ministers’ Joint Initiatives on Bolstering Economic Connectivity between ASEAN-ROK in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. He highlighted that ASEAN and the ROK should jointly develop digital economy, by making use of technology, innovation and e-commerce, to promote economic recovery and cope with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), especially for the MSMEs, start-ups and local entrepreneurs, as they are the engines of the grassroots economy, to ensure their access to appropriate financing facility and equip them with necessary skills for the 4IR. Moreover, Thailand and ASEAN stand ready to discuss with the ROK on arrangements to facilitate safe international travels for short-term and long-term investors, businesspeople and tourists.

On Connectivity, Thailand invited the ROK to consider expanding cooperation on the projects under the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC 2025), by focusing on development of smart and environment-friendly infrastructure and green development through the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility, which are in line with the ROK’s “Green New Deal” policy. Moreover, Thailand supports the ROK’s active and continuous role in human capital development, particularly through the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) projects.

The Prime Minister of Thailand believed that peace and stability are solid foundations for prosperity and sustainable development. Thailand supports the ROK’s efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula for the realisation of prosperous and denuclearised Korean Peninsula.