During 8 – 9 February 2018, H.E. Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, paid a visit to Fukuoka, Japan following an invitation from Fukuoka Prefecture. The purpose of the visit is to meet with public and private sectors of Fukuoka and to discuss on means to enhance local-to-local relations between Thailand and Japan, as well as to draw more foreign investment from Fukuoka and Kyushu to Thailand. The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by H.E. Mr. Kobsak Pootrakool, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Somchai Harnhirun, Deputy Minister of Industry.

          On 8 February 2018, Mr. Hiroshi Ogawa, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture, and Mr. Akira Higuchi, Chairman of Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister. The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that the Thai Government attaches great importance to pursuing Thailand - Japan local-to-local relations, as Thailand - Japan relations are not bound to the capital cities, but each prefecture has its own unique identity. In particular, Fukuoka Prefecture, a centre of Kyushu Region, has high economic potential, especially in areas of high technology industries and innovations such as processed food, robots, environmental technology, digital contents, and tourism, coinciding with the so-called Thailand 4.0 policy aiming to promote investment in targeted industries.

          Deputy Prime Minister also announced the Thai Cabinet’s decision to establish the Consulate-General in Fukuoka. Both sides are working closely through a diplomatic channel to bring the Consulate-General into operation by the end of this year. The Thai side envisions that the Consulate-General will be competent in promoting multifaceted local-to-local cooperation; enhancing industrial cooperation especially between local SMEs and Start Ups that have developed their own technology and innovations; attracting more local investors into Thailand especially in target industries and EEC; promoting local academic institutes and research and development centers to establish offices in EEC; and promoting mutual tourism. The Fukuoka Prefecture in reciprocity reaffirmed full cooperation in expediting the establishment process as well as in supporting future endeavors of the Consulate-General. 

          The Deputy Prime Minister also gave a keynote speech during the investment seminar, in which more than 800 people participated, and observed interesting developments of leading private companies in Fukuoka such as Yaskawa’s Robot Village and JR Kyushu’s Nanatsuboshi (Seven Stars) cruise train. Additionally, business matching activities were conducted between companies of both sides in areas of food and digital content industries. The Deputy Prime Minister also witnessed the signing of the Letter of Intent on Tourism Promotion between the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization.