On 14 May 2018, H.E. Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, hosted a luncheon in honour of the Honourable Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) who visited Thailand from 13 to 14 May 2018 to participate in the Opening of the Ministerial Segment of the 74th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). Other guests included H.E. Mr. Uttama Savanayana, Minister of Industry, H.E. Mr. Sontirat Sontijirawong, Minister of Commerce, H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Kalin Sarasin, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, and Mr. Peter Wong, Regional Director, Southeast Asia and India of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, a Bangkok-based office.

          During the luncheon, both sides exchanged views on outstanding areas of cooperation between Thailand and Hong Kong SAR and followed up on matters discussed during previous meetings. These include the setting up of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Thailand, the establishment of a Bilateral Consultative Mechanism between Thailand and Hong Kong SAR, cooperation on the automated immigration clearance, and cooperation under the ASEAN - Hong Kong Free Trade Area. The two sides also exchanged views on how to further strengthen cooperation in potential areas, particularly, trade, investment, finance, SMEs, creative industries and design with cooperation between Hong Kong Design Center and Thailand Creative and Design Center, tourism and culture, education, particularly the establishment of the renowned Hong Kong University in Thailand and further cooperation under “Belt and Road Initiative” scholarship. In addition, they discussed progress on cooperation in the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), following the visit to Thailand in May 2017 by Mr. Vincent Lo, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and a Hong Kong business delegation. The two sides also discussed cooperation under various China’s regional cooperation frameworks, particularly the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area, Pan - Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation, and the Belt and Road Initiative. In this regard, the Thai side reiterated its readiness to serve as a gateway to ASEAN for Hong Kong, while the Hong Kong side reaffirmed its readiness to serve as a gateway for Thailand to China.

          Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister also informed the Hong Kong side that he accepted the invitation of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR to attend and deliver keynote speech at 2018 Belt and Road Summit on 28 June 2018 in Hong Kong.  

          This visit marks the second visit to Thailand for Mrs. Lam as Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR. Her first official visit to Thailand as Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR took place on 3 – 5 August 2017, as guest of H.E. Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. During her visit to Thailand in 2017, Mrs. Lam paid respect to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Thailand, held bilateral meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, and participated in the meeting with relevant economic Ministers and authorities, chaired by H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mrs. Lam also met members of Thai private sector during the said visit.