On 11 November 2022, at 16.30 - 17.00 hours (Thailand’s local time), H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), for the first time since President Yoon’s inauguration in May 2022, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Phnom Penh.

The Prime Minister of Thailand reaffirmed the readiness of the Royal Thai Government to strengthen cooperation with the Government of the ROK, in particular on the occasions of the 10th anniversary of the Thailand - ROK Strategic Partnership (November 2022) and the 65th anniversary of Thailand - ROK diplomatic relations (October 2022 - September 2023). The Prime Minister of Thailand also extended an invitation to the President of the ROK to pay an official visit to Thailand at a convenient date to discuss ways in steering forward relations between Thailand and the ROK towards a shared future.

The Prime Minister of Thailand stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between Thailand and the ROK in multi-dimensions, with an aim to respond to challenges from evolving international landscapes and various forms of volatilities. The Prime Minister of Thailand reaffirmed the invitation for the ROK private sectors to invest in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), particularly in high-tech industries of the ROK’s expertise such as 5G, electronics, electric vehicles, smart cities, semiconductor, robotics, biotech, digital and aviation industry as well as bio-circular-green industries (BCGs). Both sides also reaffirmed the determination to enhance cooperation in public health, people-to-people relations and tourism.

Both sides exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The Thai side expressed appreciation to the ROK for the support to Thailand’s Chairmanship of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) in 2022, which has continually driven forward the BCG Economy Model.

In addition, the Prime Minister of Thailand expressed condolences on the tragic incident in Itaewon on 29 October 2022, which resulted in the loss of one Thai national. The Prime Minister of Thailand also expressed appreciation to the Government of the ROK for facilitating the body repatriation process and attentively caring for the bereaved family.

On this occasion, both leaders witnessed the signing of the Joint Declaration on Joint Action Plan towards Strengthening Strategic Partnership between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Korea (2022-2027) between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both sides, which aims to steer the Strategic Partnership between Thailand and the ROK into concrete implementation in six areas, aligning with respective national development strategies and complementary strengths of both countries, namely: (1) political-security, (2) people-to-people exchange and culture, (3) health, (4) future industries and trade, (5) green economy, and (6) sustainable development.