Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

by Director-General of Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson

on 6 June 2024 at 13.00 hrs. at Press Conference Room, MFA and MFA FB Live 

1. Activities organised by Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General abroad on the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Anniversary on 3 June 2024

• These activities include voluntary and charitable works organised by Embassies and Consulates-General around the world, which engaged the Thai communities through local organizations and communities in each country.
• To cite some examples, the Royal Thai Embassy in Berlin recorded audiobooks about Germany to a school for the blind in Thailand, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Munich gave care packages from Thai communities to people living in shelters through a local church foundation, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kathmandu offered art supply giveaways to a vocational institute for people with disabilities, and the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa had a game day at a local foundation for mother and child. 

2. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Ministerial Meeting and Related Meetings in Singapore

• During 5-6 June 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Singapore to participate in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Ministerial Meeting and the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum.
• On 5 June, the Minister had a meeting with Ms. Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, to promote investment in semiconductors, clean energy and infrastructure, and discussed means and ways to strengthen the economic partnership between the two countries. He also met with Mr. Gan Kim Yong, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore, discussing ways to enhance partnerships in digital economy, clean energy and logistics, including cooperation through IPEF.
• On 6 June, the Minister attended the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum in the morning, where the Prime Minister of Singapore and the US Secretary of Commerce delivered opening remarks. Afterward, he joined a panel discussion with IPEF partner ministers and the private sector on the topic of “Catalysing and Scaling Climate Technology: Bridging the Gap between Innovators and Investors.”. In the afternoon, he will meet with Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, before attending the IPEF Ministerial Meeting.
• IPEF is an important cooperation framework for Thailand and we look forward to making progress on the different pillars.

3. Thailand - EU Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in Bangkok

• The 17^th Thailand - EU SOM was held on 4 June 2024 to promote the strategic partnership between Thailand and the EU, especially in the areas of Thailand-EU FTA, Schengen visa exemptions and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU Fishing). It was also an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on regional and international issues.
• Both sides agreed to form a Joint Committee under the Thailand-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (Thai-EU PCA) at the earliest opportunity.
• With regards to IUU Fishing, the Thai side is of the view that it is an important mechanism for both sides to share experiences on how to promote sustainable fisheries, with the participation of all stakeholders, including the European Union.

4. Evacuation of Thais from New Caledonia

• On 28 May 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris coordinated with the French Government in assisting Thai nationals who had expressed their wishes to evacuate New Caledonia. There are 7 Thai nationals and 1 spouse, who holds French nationality, who have confirmed their intention to evacuate, and all of them have been transported from New Caledonia to Singapore. Presently, they have arrived safely in Thailand.
• The Ministry wishes to express sincere thanks and appreciation to the French Government for providing full and prompt assistance with this operation.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/mLg4wMhbGsKo7k1Z/