On 24 June 2019, H.E. Mr. Songphol Sukchan, Ambassador of Thailand to Indonesia met with H.E. Mrs. Tri Rismaharini, Mayor of Surabaya at the Surabaya Mayor's Office. H.E. the Ambassador stressed the importance of Surabaya as the second largest city and economic centre of Indonesia and the main gateway to East Java province which is a national food barn hosting over a huge population of over 40 million Indonesians.

He also reiterated the close relations between Thailand and Surabaya in all areas, including trade and investment, tourism, cultural exchanges and education. In this regard, he reaffirmed his readiness to promote more Thai investments in Surabaya, as Surabaya is one of the most attractive destinations in Indonesia in terms of investment and transport infrastructure both domestically and internationally and rules and regulations favorable to trade and investment.

Moreover, H.E. the Ambassador expressed his continued determination to promote business matching activities between Thailand and Surabaya and investment by Surabayans in Thailand as well as medical tourism to Thailand among Surabayans. He was very pleased with the enthusiasm of the Surabayan private sector to make business collaboration with Thailand.

Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation on exchanges of smart city best practices and expertise, and the possibility to open direct flights between Surabaya and Bangkok.