Summary of weekly press briefing

Tuesday, 5 July 2022 at 14:30 hours

Press Conference Room, MFA and via MFA Facebook Live

1. The official visit to Thailand of State Councilor/FM of China (4-5 July 2022)

• H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor/FM of China, paid an official visit to Thailand as Guest of MFA to build upon the outcomes of the visit by DPM/FM to China during 1 - 2 April 2022.
• Both sides attached importance to the strengthening of relations between Thailand and China on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership this year and revitalising the economy from the COVID-19 pandemic and global situation through the promotion of cooperation in trade, including facilitation of the transport of agricultural products from Thailand to China, investment and connectivity. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest before the State Councilor/FM of China paid a courtesy call on PM Prayut later in the afternoon.
• Gist of the joint press conference by DPM/FM and the State Councilor/FM of China:

- DPM/FM said the bilateral meeting covered a wide range of issues, which developed from the conclusions of DPM/FM’s official visit to China in April, including the establishment of the Thai-Chinese community with a shared future of stability, prosperity, and sustainability. Both sides stressed the need to revitalise the economies through trade promotion, transport facilitation of agricultural products, and cooperation in cyber security.

- State Councilor/FM of China reaffirmed DPM/FM’s statement and reiterated the robust Thai-Chinese relations amidst rapid changes around the globe. Both sides agreed on 4 areas:

1. Fostering stable, prosperous, and sustainable Thai-Chinese relations, especially at the people-to-people level;
2. Establishing a Thai-Lao-Chinese economic corridor to connect EEC, through the Lao PDR, with Yunnan Province, which would then serve as a gateway for Thai goods to Europe; and improving logistics to generate more economic activities and benefits for the peoples;
3. Enhancing cooperation in cyber security to advance economic digitalisation and counter the call-centre scam;
4. Expressing Chinese support for Thailand’s APEC host year and her initiatives, especially during the AELW in November, all of which were deemed essential to promoting trade and economic development in Asia-Pacific as well as realising the Putrajaya Vision 2040 so as to strengthen regional solidarity.

2. 7th Mekong - Lancang Foreign Ministers Meeting (3-4 July 2022)

• DPM/FM attended the 7th Mekong - Lancang Cooperation (MLC) FMs’ Meeting in Bagan, co-chaired by Myanmar and China.
• FMs of MLC member countries reviewed the progress of MLC cooperation and exchanged views on the framework’s future direction to address common challenges, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, international tensions, global economic slowdown, food - energy - water security, and climate change.
• The Meeting agreed to strengthen cooperation in economic integration, agriculture and food security, green development, innovation, public health and people-to-people exchanges. China also proposed major initiatives in 6 areas of cooperation; agriculture, water and climate change, digital economy, space and satellite, human resources development, and public health.
• DPM/FM delivered a statement proposing “RISE” (together) as a concept to drive development in key strategic areas, as follows: (1) Resilience in public health, climate change, and food, energy and water security, (2) Integration and Interoperability in enhancing connectivity and facilitating cross-border trade, (3) Synergy in promoting economic recovery and development, both between MLC member countries and between MLC and other Mekong cooperation frameworks, especially ACMECS, and (4) Enabling an Ecosystem in which business and innovation can thrive, especially through Thailand’s proposal on the establishment of innovation corridors, and to promote private sector’s participation in MLC via the Mekong - Lancang Business Council.
• The Meeting adopted the Joint Press Communiqué as well as four Joint Press Statements to bolster cooperation in customs, agriculture and food security, disaster management, and exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Closer cooperation in customs and agriculture can help promote export of agricultural products to China, as well as address cross-border trade challenges and bottleneck issues.

3. Visit to Thailand by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (26 June – 2 July 2022)

• H.E. Mr. Yousef Al-Dobeay, Assistant Sec-Gen for Political Affairs of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and delegation visited Thailand as guest of MFA to prepare for the visit to Thailand of the OIC Sec-Gen, and to witness firsthand the situation of the Muslim communities in the three Southern Border Provinces of Thailand as part of the OIC mission to preserve Islamic values and solidarity among member and observer states.
• On 27 June 2022, the OIC Assistant Sec-Gen called on DPM/FM Don to enhance cooperation with Thailand. VFM Vijavat also hosted a working dinner in honour of the OIC Assistant Sec-Gen and the delegation.
• On 28 June 2022, the OIC delegation visited the Halal Science Center, Chulalongkorn University, to discuss ways to promote Halal products among OIC member states. On the cultural and religious front, the OIC delegation called on the representative of Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, had a discussion with a committee of the Foundation of Islamic Centre of Thailand, and visited the Grand Palace.
• During 29 – 30 June 2022, the delegation visited the Southern Border Provinces namely: Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, where they met diverse groups of local people from various backgrounds – Muslim, Buddhist, Melayu and Thai. The delegation also visited Wat Mujalinthavapi Viharn, the Pattani Central Mosque, Tadika (Islamic moral and ethics training centre for children), Fatoni University, and Princess of Naradhiwas University.
• The delegates expressed their appreciation for the Thai Government’s openness and its efforts to take care of its Muslim citizens who enjoy the right to freedom of religion.
• The delegation also commended the Thai Government’s policy on economic and social development and education for the Southern Border Provinces and expressed its readiness to support the Government’s inclusive dialogue with various stakeholders to further enhance the economic and social development of the region.

4. 4^th Thailand – United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue (30 June 2022)

• VFM participated in the 4^th Thailand - UK Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by VFM and the Right Honorable Amanda Milling, Minister of State for Asia at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Both sides exchanged views and deliberated ways to push forward concrete bilateral cooperation in various areas including political and economic cooperation, trade and investment, defense and security, public health, education, tourism and cultural cooperation, science technology and innovation, as well as coping with climate change and promoting sustainable growth. Both sides reaffirmed the willingness to explore further cooperation for the ease of travel between the two countries.
• The Thai and UK Co-Chairs adopted a Joint Statement to express joint commitment to promoting and strengthening bilateral cooperation based on the strategic partnership of the two nations. The MOU on Counter-Terrorism Cooperation was signed via video-conference system by General Supot Malaniyom, Secretary-General of the National Security Council of Thailand and Minister of State for Asia of the UK.
• VFM also called on Sir Graham Brady, Chair of the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group and discussed ways to promote legislative cooperation and to boost the exchange of visits of parliamentarians of both sides.

5. Entry Measures into Thailand for Thai and Foreign Nationals (From 1 July 2022)

• The new entry measures into Thailand for Thai and foreign nationals have become effective since 1 July 2022.
• Thailand Pass registration is no longer required.
• Upon arrival, travelers must present the certificate of vaccination or RT-PCR/ Professional ATK COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours before departure.
• Medical insurance is no longer required.

6. Warning for Thai people bringing cannabis or cannabis products with them abroad

• RTEs and RTCGs expressed concern for Thai people who may inadvertently bring cannabis or cannabis products to foreign countries and, as a result, may be punished according to the laws of those countries.
• A number of RTEs and RTCGs have issued warnings for Thai travelers. These include RTE Tokyo, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, Singapore, Seoul, Washington, London, Canberra, among others. Countries with the highest penalty for capital punishment are Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. MFA urged Thai people to closely follow the Facebook pages of RTEs/RTCGs/MFA for updates and avoid bringing cannabis or cannabis products abroad.

7. Public Diplomacy Award 2022

• MFA and Thailand Foundation announced the establishment of the annual Public Diplomacy Award (PDA) to recognise individuals, associations, or organisations that contribute to the conduct of Thailand’s public diplomacy through various activities abroad, such as humanitarian assistance, cultural exchange, sports, innovations, among others.
• The PDA aims to: (1) highlight the importance of public diplomacy as an important tool in the conduct of Thailand’s international relations and promotion of the country’s image and soft power; (2) promote the active role of the PDA laureate in public diplomacy; and (3) raise the public awareness to inspire and encourage more public engagement in public diplomacy.
• Nominations for PDA2022 are now open and due by 31 August 2022. The prize announcement and awards ceremony will be held around September-October 2022.
• The PDA laureate will receive a trophy, prize money, and the title of “Goodwill Ambassador for Public Diplomacy.”

Q&A

• Regarding the Myanmar fighter jets crossing into the Thai air space over Phop Phra District, Tak province on 30 June 2022, how has MFA handled the situation?
  • MFA has been working closely with security agencies concerned and protested through diplomatic channels on the matter, calling for Myanmar to take actions to prevent this kind of incident from reoccurring. During the MLC FMs’ Meeting, DPM/FM expressed his deep concern on the situation to the FM of Myanmar and urged Myanmar to implement preventive measures. Myanmar expressed regret over the inadvertent action.
• During the bilateral discussion between DPM/FM and State Councilor/FM of China, how did China respond to the mentioned cooperation in countering the call-centre scam?
  • The Chinese side stressed the intention to coordinate with relevant agencies to suppress such criminal groups.

Weekly Press Briefing: https://fb.watch/e3JQSXCqda/

* * * * *

Press Division
Department of Information