The Prime Minister of The Kingdom of Thailand had a telephone conversation with H.E. Mr. SUGA Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan, highlighting the strategic partnership between Thailand and Japan and extending an invitation to Prime Minister SUGA to pay an official visit to Thailand at the earliest date. Both sides also agreed on strengthening economic cooperation and reaffirmed cooperation on the development in the Mekong sub-region.

On 9 April 2021, at 15.00 - 15.30 hrs. (Thailand’s local time), H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand, had a telephone conversation with H.E. Mr. SUGA Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan.

The Thai Prime Minister welcomed the strategic partnership between Thailand and Japan, and extended an invitation to Prime Minister SUGA to pay an official visit to Thailand at the earliest date. Prime Minister Prayut also affirmed the priorities of the Royal Thai Government in containing the COVID-19 pandemic and revitalising the economy. In this regard, Prime Minister SUGA expressed Japan’s readiness to cooperate with Thailand, including by providing COVID-19 related assistance such as vaccines cold-chain storage equipment and facilities.

Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening economic cooperation between Thailand and Japan, while agreeing on the importance of convening the 5th Meeting of the Thailand – Japan High-Level Joint Commission (HLJC). The two sides also reaffirmed close cooperation in the development of the Mekong sub-region, particularly through the Mekong - Japan cooperation and Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). Prime Minister Prayut also sought Japan’s support for the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model, investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and projects related to electric vehicle (EV) production.

On regional issues, the two Prime Ministers exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar, the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Korean Peninsula. Both sides agreed to cooperate closely in the ASEAN - Japan framework, of which Thailand will serve as Country Coordinator for the next three years, and the Asia – Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which Thailand will be the host in 2022. Prime Minister SUGA also reiterated Japan’s support for Thailand to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement of Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).