On 24th February 2013, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na Ranong, Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Surasawadee and others left Suvarnabhumi International Airport on a THAI International flight to arrive in Seoul, Republic of Korea at 1400hrs (local time).

At 1500hrs (local time) Prime Minister Yingluck left the hotel where she is staying while in South Korea for the Presidential Residence (the Blue House) to pay a courtesy call on President Lee Myung-bak. Since today (February 24) was his last day at the office, PM Yingluck came to thank and bid farewell to him. Gist of the meeting is as follows:

PM Yingluck thanked President Lee for his friendship, visions and advices. She commended President Lee’s policies on the state affairs particularly the policy on “Low Carbon, Green Growth” which was initiated under his administration and had been well accepted in a global arena. The policy aimed to promote new growth engines which ensured sustainable development and was environmental friendly.

According to PM Yingluck, President Lee’s visit to Thailand last year was considered a successful one, and various follow-ups had constantly been made since, for example, FTA and CEPA study plans which should come to the conclusion within this year. As for the expansion of mutual trade, Thailand was set to hold a bilateral commerce ministerial meeting as soon as South Korea was ready. In addition, progress had been seen for strategic partnership where a joint commission meeting would be held this year in order to set up various groups of committees to concretely mobilize the partnership in diverse aspects.

As for cooperation on infrastructure development, K-Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) was one of the approved consortiums to prepare conceptual plans and enter the bidding process for water management and flood prevention projects. Final stage of consideration for the projects would be done in April, and the Thai Government would look particularly into technological aspect by which it did not mean the most up-to-date or state of the art technology, but the one that most met all the criteria. Besides, bidding prices and technology transfer would be ones of the major conditions for consideration as well.

In turn, President Lee Myung-Bak expressed his appreciation on the friendship and mutual relations between the two countries, and thanked PM Yingluck for her bid of farewell. According to President Lee, even after he was no longer the President of South Korea, mutual relations and cooperation between Thailand and South Korea would still continue and be strengthened and he prepared to give his support on all aspects of cooperation with Thailand as earlier discussed and agreed. President Lee also commended PM Yingluck’s administration of state affairs particularly on economic development and water management.

Lastly, PM Yingluck expressed her hope for President Lee’s continuous support on the reinforcement of Thai-Korean strategic partnership, and Thailand always welcomed the President’s visit to the country.

President Lee Myung-Bak was elected the 17th President of South Korea on December 17, 2007 and officially assumed the position on February 25, 2008. President Lee has played a significant role in reinforcing mutual relations between Thailand and South Korea. This year also marks the 55th year of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.