On 3 October 2023, Mrs. Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs (DPS), led a delegation to visit the Mekong Institute (MI) in Khon Kaen province, with Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA); Mr. Worawut Smuthkalin, Chief of the Mekong Cooperation Unit, and the Ministry’s officials accompanying. The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of MI.

During the visit, both sides discussed the future direction of cooperation between the Ministry and MI, as well as policies toward the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), in line with the current government policy. DPS Phantipha reiterated MI’s role in providing technical support for the ACMECS Interim Secretariat, which is to be established in Thailand. This new office could help promote Thailand’s role in accelerating sustainable development, especially in socio-economic development. MI could also help drive development cooperation and contribute to economic and trade relations in the Mekong Sub-region in the future.

On this occasion, DPS Phantipha and the delegation also visited the Operations and Promotion Center for Livable Smart City Development located in Khon Kaen University. The representatives from Khon Kaen City Development (KKTT) Co., LTD. welcomed the delegation and presented the Khon Kaen Smart City Project, a pioneer project of smart city development.