H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, met with Lord Fowler, Lord Speaker of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, on 21 June 2018. Both sides discussed various bilateral issues with particular focus on people-to-people exchange, especially in tourism. Approximately 1 million British tourists visit Thailand annually with potential increase in both British tourists visiting Thailand and Thai tourists visiting the United Kingdom. 

 

The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in the area of trade. The Prime Minister informed the Lord Speaker of significant reforms in Thailand including development of Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) which will attract more foreign investments to Thailand. Likewise, with the favourable conditions, Thai investors are more than ready to invest in the United Kingdom. 

 

The Prime Minister also informed the Lord Speaker of Thailand’s 20-year National Strategy, Thailand 4.0 and Thailand+1 which corresponds to the United Kingdom’s foreign policy of Global Britain which aims to strengthen relations with countries outside the European Union. Moreover, Thailand’s role in ACMECS and upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019 solidifies Thailand as the hub for connectivity, facilitating the United Kingdom’s outreach to other countries in the region. Thailand stands ready to support the United Kingdom’s constructive engagement in the region. 

 

Both sides exchanged views on the United Kingdom’s role in supporting Thailand. The Prime Minister requested the United Kingdom’s understanding of the Thai government’s continued intention to proceed with the roadmap to lay the groundwork for elections in February 2019 for which peace and stability must be maintained in Thailand. In this regard, the Prime Minister requested the United Kingdom’s support in clarifying Thailand’s situation to other European countries. Both sides also exchanged views on bicameral parliamentary system. On this occasion the Prime Minister invited the Lord Speaker to visit Thailand.