On 17 December 2023, H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand, accompanied by H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Transport, had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN–Japan Friendship and Cooperation on 14-18 December 2023.

Both leaders discussed approaches to advance the already close bilateral economic cooperation, such as enhancement of business environment for Japanese investment in Thailand including measures to support Japanese automobile manufacturers for a smooth transition to the production of Electric Vehicles (EV) and the newly approved measure to grant short-term visa exemption for Japanese businesspeople. Prime Minister Srettha also requested the Japanese government’s support to facilitate the operation of Thai businesses in Japan.

The two leaders emphasized the importance of further cooperation on potential fields, such as soft power, digital economy and energy, including the strengthening of cooperation within the existing framework of Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) and the initiative to set up a comprehensive collaboration mechanism on energy and industry, the details of which will be further discussed by both sides’ authorities. Prime Minister Kishida also took this opportunity to invite Thailand to attend the meeting of the OECD Ministerial Council which Japan will chair in 2024.