During 31^st August – 3^rd September 2015, H.E. General Thanasak Patimaprakorn, Deputy Prime Minister as a special envoy for H.E. General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister, joined the 3^rd Pacific Island Development Forum (3^rd PIDF) in Suva, Republic of Fiji,. During his visit, the Deputy Prime Minister received honorable and warm welcome as Chief Guest and paid a courtesy call on President of Republic of Fiji, and Prime Minister of Republic of Fiji, and signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Technical Cooperation.

         On 1^st September 2015, the Deputy Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Epeli Nailatikau, President of Republic of Fiji and H.E. Mr. Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Republic of Fiji. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his thanks, on behalf of the Prime Minister of Thailand, to President and Prime Minister of Fiji for the 3^rd PIDF invitation and also expressed his thanks to President of Republic of Fiji, and Prime Minister of Republic of Fiji for their sympathy on the tragic event in Ratchaprasong, Bangkok. Both nations expressed their willingness to strengthen the relations between Thailand and Fiji, for example, the establishment of Fiji Embassy in Thailand; organising “Thailand – Fiji Business and Investment Seminar” in Suva, hosted by Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra; increasing trade and investment on sugar, coconuts, and fishery; and cooperation in education between Thai universities, University of South Pacific and other Fijian universities. Furthermore, Thailand and Fiji have signed the MoU on Technical Cooperation, which illustrated Thailand’s readiness to initiate training program and provide postgraduate scholarships to improve Fiji’s eco-tourism. In addition, Thailand and Fiji will initiate “3 years Cooperation Plan” to establish a “learning centre” for improving specific fields of education that Fiji requires, such as, sustainable development, agriculture and human resources management. 

          On the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister was invited to the welcoming ceremony of the 3^rd PIDF, which took place at Valenibose Ground, Suva. In this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister had the honor to inspect guards of honour and deliver an Opening Remarks, which the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his thanks to Prime Minister of Fiji and the Fijian people for a warm and honourable welcoming ceremony.

           On 2^nd September 2015, the Deputy Prime Minister was invited to the opening ceremony of the 3rd PIDF under the theme “Building Climate Resilient Green/Blue Pacific Economies”. In this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister had the opportunity to address Thailand’s role in tackling the issue of climate change and introduce plans for sustainable Green and Blue Economies to the leaders and high-level representatives of 15 PIDF member states and 19 non-member states. Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed that Thailand is ready to exchange experiences and methods of development with Pacific Islands in all fields, especially education. Also, Thailand is willing to bilaterally provide scholarships to Pacific Islands students, as part of “Annual International Training Courses”, in the accordance of “3 years Cooperation Plan”, which was mentioned during Thailand – Pacific Islands Forum (TPIF).

           Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister had an opportunity to meet and paid courtesy call on leaders and high-level representatives from Pacific Island nations and other nations, including H.E. Mrs. Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia.

           After the Opening Remarks, the leaders and the high level representatives from Pacific Island nations and other nations were invited to the exhibition on “Thailand and the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy: A Path to Sustainable development” in Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister. The exhibition presented the examples of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy towards Sustainable Development, which reflected Thailand’s willingness to support and cooperate with Pacific Islands. As the result, the exhibition received positive feedbacks.

            Overall, the Deputy Prime Minister’s official visit to Fiji and attendance of the 3^rd Pacific Island Development Forum (3^rd PIDF) was successful in improving relationship between Thailand and Pacific Islands.