On 17 July 2014, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Phongsak Assakul, Senior Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand, and Mr.Yothin Dumnernchanvanit, Executive Director and Managing Director of Double A (1991) Public Co., Ltd., gave a press interview on the outcome of the Thai Businesses’ visits to the United Kingdom and France to boost confidence in Thailand.  Gist as follows:

Mr. Phongsak Assakul and Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn led a delegation of top executives from leading Thai private sectors including Central Group, CPF, Thai Beverage, Bangkok Bank, Thanachart Bank, Mitr Phol Sugar Group, Sea Value Group as well as representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to visit the United Kingdom on 21-26 June 2014.  The visit aimed to boost confidence in Thailand’s political developments and economic potentials among British public and private sectors as well as to explore investment opportunities for Thai businesses.

During a discussion on “Thai-UK Trade and Investment Dialogue” with British public and private sectors, Thailand’s key positions importance as a gateway to ASEAN and East Asia was reaffirmed.  The delegation also engaged with 93 executives from prominent British businesses such as Vice President of HSBC and the representative from Rolls-Royce, in a panel discussion.  During the discussion, Mr. Phongsak Assakul expressed his confidence in positive political developments in Thailand and Thailand’s strong economic fundamentals.  He also expressed Thailand’s readiness as a destination for foreign investment with its conducive trade and investment environment as usual. Mr. Mark Kent, British Ambassador to Thailand, attended both discussions to promote better understanding on Thailand’s political situation to enhance confidence in Thailand.

The Thai side also met with All-Party Groups (APGs) of the British Members of Parliament where they reiterated Thailand’s commitment to achieving the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s Roadmap in due course.  Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn as representative of the delegation also gave an interview to Financial Times and The Economist on this matter. 

As a result of the visit, the British businesses have had a better understanding on Thailand’s political situation, and continued to see Thailand as the UK’s significant economic partner during this political transition process.  The British businesses also expressed their interests in investing in health and legal sectors in Thailand and would visit Thailand at the earliest mutually convenient time.

For the visit to France, Mr.Yothin Dumnernchanvanit, Executive Director and Managing Director of Double A (1991) Public Co., Ltd., paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister of France on June 2014 to update the investment progress of Double A’s investment project in Normandy Region of France.  On this occasion, Mr. Yothin Dumnernchanvanit updated Foreign Minister on Thailand’ political situation and reiterated that this political transition process will promote more balancing and sustainable democracy in Thailand.  In this regard, Foreign Minister expressed his best wishes to Thailand during this situation and reiterated Thai-French cordial relations.

Due for the successful outcome of the visits, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand are now planning similar Thailand’s confidence boosting missions to other potential countries as well.