Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

by Director-General of Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson

8 November 2024 at 11.00 hrs.

Buakaew Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MFA

Facebook/TIKTOK Live

1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs chaired a meeting of Ambassadors and Consuls-General of the South Asian region

• On 1 November 2024, the meeting of Ambassadors and Consuls-General of the South Asian region took place during the Foreign Minister’s visit to India for the presentation of the Royal Kathina robes to the Mahabodhi Vihara Temple in New Delhi. In attendance were Thai Ambassadors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, as well as Thai Consuls-General from Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Karachi.
• It was a productive meeting in exchanging views about Thailand’s priorities and key policies for the region, one that is becoming increasingly important in the geopolitical and economic context, as a land and sea link and passageway for over 50 percent of the world’s maritime trade. The South Asian region is a large market with a population of over 1.9 billion people, or one fourth of the global population, with high potential from an expanding middle class and a large working-age population. The meeting also discussed immense potential for expanding cooperation in trade and investment, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.

2. The bilateral meeting between the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of External Affairs of India

• On 2 November 2024, the Thai Foreign Minister had a bilateral discussion with H.E. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India. It was their 3^rd meeting since the Thai Foreign Minister assumed office. Both sides discussed cooperation in the military industry, promoting the roles of Thailand and India in driving key multilateral cooperation frameworks, especially under BIMSTEC and Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) cooperation frameworks, as well as regional issues of common concerns. 
• Thailand and India confirmed readiness to cooperate on addressing common challenges, especially transnational crime, human trafficking, natural disasters, and promoting connectivity. Both sides also agreed to promote the exchange of high-level visits.

3. Outcome of the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit and the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit

• During 6-7 November 2024, the Foreign Minister accompanied the Prime Minister to attend the 8th GMS Summit and the 10th ACMECS Summit in Kunming, the People's Republic of China.
• Before the meetings, the Foreign Minister accompanied the Prime Minister to a meeting with Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The ADB President expressed the bank’s continued readiness to support Thailand and discussed various areas for cooperation, including highway construction, financial institutions and SMEs, Green Funds, water and environmental management, and technical cooperation.
• The 8^th GMS Summit was hosted by China under the theme “Toward a Better Community Through Innovation-driven Development.” The Prime Minister delivered a statement to share her vision for advancing cooperation to drive connectivity, promote and enhance competitiveness, and accelerate the promotion of a better community through inclusive development.
• The 10th ACMECS Summit was hosted by Lao PDR under the theme “Towards Seamless Connectivity for Mekong Sub-regional Integration.” The Prime Minister highlighted the promotion of joint efforts to cope with major challenges, including cross-border crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, air pollution and natural disasters. On this occasion, Thailand proposed a Concept Note on Water Resources Management in the Mekong Sub-Region towards an enhanced cooperation and efficiency on this issue.
• The Prime Minister also had a working lunch with the Governor of Yunnan Province. Both sides discussed cordial relations and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, agricultural products and the 50th Anniversary of Thai-Chinese Diplomatic Relations in 2025.

4. The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs are scheduled to attend the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru 

• During 11 - 13 November 2024, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister will visit Los Angeles in the U.S. before attending the APEC Summit to chair an Ambassadors and Consuls-General meeting in North and South America, as well as are scheduled to meet with the Thai community and a number of high-level representatives from key private sector companies.
• During 14 - 16 November 2024, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister will attend a number of APEC-related meetings at their respective levels, where they will meet with counterparts and engage in advancing the key deliverables of Peru’s APEC Chairmanship. Some highlights include the announcement of the APEC BCG Awards on youth, women and SMEs. This was Thailand’ initiative when we hosted APEC in Bangkok a couple of years ago. In addition, the Prime Minister will also hold a number of bilateral meetings and meetings with key private sector companies.
• Peru will host this year’s APEC meeting under the main topic “Empower. Include. Grow.” which aligns with the Thai government's focus on expanding economic opportunities for the Thai people. Thailand hopes to use this opportunity to help advance the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area (FTAAP), focusing on sustainable growth, innovation, and greater inclusivity while at the same time, also promoting transitional to a formal economy using digital technology and innovation.

5. Updates regarding the four Thai nationals who died in Israel on 31 October

• The Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israeli authorities have undertaken the relevant procedures and repatriate the bodies of the deceased back to Thailand on the flight El Al LY081, which departed from Tel Aviv on 7 November 2024 at 09.55 hrs. and will arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport today (8 November) at 14.05 hrs. The Ministry of Foreign Affiars would like to once again express deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

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