On 6 May 2013,  Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Honourable John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States, during his visit to Washington, DC from 5-7 May 2012. The two Ministers discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, as well as global issues of common concern. Gist as follows.

1. On bilateral relations, the Ministers were pleased with the overall strong bilateral relations between Thailand and the United States, in which this year marks 180 years of diplomatic relations. Both Ministers were looking forward to a higher and deeper relations between Thailand and the United States. Deputy Prime Minister Surapong  emphasized the return of political stability and economic dynamism in Thailand as well as highlighted the strategic location of Thailand as a hub of Southeast Asia and a gateway to East Asia. He also welcomed US private sector participation in public-private partnership on connectivity projects in Thailand. Deputy Prime Minister also reiterated Thailand’s intention to join trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Deputy Prime Minister has highlighted the Thai Government’s efforts in tackling problem of trafficking in persons in Thailand. The newly-established Thailand' s One-Stop Crisis Centres on assistance and protection to various target groups, including victims of human trafficking was cited as an example of such efforts. Deputy Prime Minister hoped these efforts will be positively reflected in the upcoming US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.

The two Ministers discussed on a prospective visit of the Thai Prime Minister to the U.S. this year. Deputy Prime Minister Surapong also invited Secretary Kerry to visit Thailand.

2. On regional issues, Deputy Prime Minister Surapong welcomed the U.S.’s Strategic Rebalancing policy that focuses on reengagement with Asia, particularly the importance the US has given to ASEAN centrality. He stressed that U.S.’s engagement in ASEAN integration efforts can serve as a stabilizing force in the region. The partnership will help address political-security challenges in ASEAN region, including transnational crime, human trafficking, piracy, and disaster. Deputy Prime Minister Surapong welcomed the U.S.’s continued support foro Myanmar’s reform and hoped that the U.S. would lift all remaining sanctions on Myanmar. 

Regarding the issue of the South China Sea, Deputy Prime Minister informed Secretary Kerry that Thailand as current country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations is determined to work closely with all concerned to build trust and confidence among the relevant parties as well as to expand common ground, and to push forward the implementation of the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in tandem with the Code of Conduct process.

3. On global issues, Deputy Prime Minister Surapong highlighted Thailand’s active participation in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism as well as its participation of Thailand in the Proliferation Security Initiative. Deputy Prime Minister Surapong informed that the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs will lead the Thai delegation to the upcoming the High Level Political Meeting marking the Tenth Anniversary of the PSI in Warsaw later this month.

After the meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Deputy Prime Minister Surapong visited the Washington's Metropolitan Police Department to be briefed on Washington’s CCTV system. Recently, Deputy Prime Ministers was assigned by the Prime Minister to chair a working group on improving the security camera system for public safety in Thailand.