Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

Friday, 15 December 2023 at 11.00 hours

Department of Information Press Briefing Room, MFA and via MFA Facebook Live

1. Updates on the Israel-Gaza situation 

• Statistics of affected Thai nationals statistics remain the same: 39 deaths, 18 injuries (3 receiving medical treatments in hospital), and 8 abductions (23 were released).
• Assistance by RTE in Tel Aviv from 4 November – 13 December 2023, the RTE has helped and facilitated 103 Thais with their repatriation, as well as provided consultation to 177 Thais.
• Attempts to assist Thai hostages
  • On 12 December 2023 in New York, Thailand joined other UN members to vote in favour and adopted the resolution introduced by Egypt titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” at the 10^th UNGA Emergency Special Session ESS on the situation in the Middle East. The resolution calls for immediate humanitarian ceasefire, immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and demands that all parties comply with their obligations under international law.
  • The MFA continues to monitor the situation closely, with all related parties continue to discuss with relevant countries to seek ways towards the release of the hostages soonest.

2. Updates on the rescue of Thai nationals in Laukkaing, Shan State, Myanmar 

• The MFA, together with the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, and relevant agencies have assisted to evacuate a total of 414 Thais from Laukkaing and other affected cities in Shan state.

3. DPM/FM’s Official Visit to Saudi Arabia (12-13 December 2023)

• DPM/FM paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia during 12 – 13 December 2023, as guest of the Ministry of Commerce and the General Authority for Foreign Trade of Saudi Arabia.
• DPM/FM had a bilateral discussion with Minister of Commerce of Saudi Arabia to follow up the outcomes of PM’s visit to Saudi Arabia in October 2023 in trade issues, especially the feasibility of a Thailand-GCC FTA. Both sides congratulated the fast-growing bilateral trade value, while Saudi side hopes to see more people interactions and further exchanges of tourists, cultures, and products.
• DPM/FM attended a Thailand-Saudi Arabia business networking event hosted by the Ambassador of Thailand to Saudi Arabia, which was participated by more than 100 high-level executives and businesspeople from both sides.
• DPM/FM had a bilateral discussion with Minister of Investment and touched upon investment areas of collaboration, especially energy sector, green hydrogen, green industry hub. DPM/FM also confirmed readiness to host the first Saudi – Thai Coordination Council (STCC) in January 2024.
• In the evening, DPM/FM presided over the opening ceremony of Thailand Mega Fair 2023, organised by Board of Trade of Thailand and Index Creative Village Plc, with support of the Royal Thai Embassy in Riyadh, during 13-16 December 2023. This event is the largest exhibition for Thai products and services from over 120 Thai companies in Saudi Arabia, which has provided opportunities for the Thai private sector to access consumer markets and build business-matching networks in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. In his remarks, DPM/FM emphasized commitment to strengthen Thailand - Saudi Arabia relations that align with Thailand’s proactive economic policy stressing 3 key points: Green Growth, Innovation-driven Growth, and Community-based Growth.

4. ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (14 – 18 Dec 2023)

• On 14 December 2023, PM and DPM/FM arrived in Tokyo, Japan, to attend the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Japan, which is held during Thailand’s tenure as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations (2021 - 2024). The Summit will discuss ways forward in advancing the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and plan the future direction of ASEAN-Japan cooperation.
• PM will also have a number of additional important engagements during the visit, including a royal audience with the Emperor and Empress of Japan, a bilateral meeting with the PM of Japan, discussions with Japanese high-level government officials, and one-on-one meetings with executives of Japanese companies in the automotive industry and other Thailand’s target industries.
• PM and DPM/FM will also deliver keynote speeches at the Thailand-Japan Investment Forum, organised by the Board of Investment of Thailand.

5. 2024 New Year Gifts from MFA

• MFA has prepared 2024 New Year Gifts for Thai people, including same-day passport services with no extra charges (2-12 Jan 24), passport services on weekends designated offices throughout 2024, free translation and legalization services (2-12 Jan 24), Bangkok Mobile Service (15-26 Jan 24), and Monthly Mobile Consular Services in provinces without the Temporary Passport Office.
• Other current available services include passport services at the MFA Booth at the Annual Red Cross Fair, Lumpini Park, Bangkok (8-18 Dec 23), and the upcoming a Mobile Consular Service in Mukdahan province (21-25 Dec 23).

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Press Division

Department of Information

Watch full session: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiMFA/videos/1785803505203657/