Summary of Weekly Press Briefing by

Director-General of Department of Information/Spokesperson of MFA

Thursday 28 November 2024 at 11.00 hrs.

Department of Information Meeting Room and MFA Facebook/TikTok Live

1. The Official Visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore and spouse to Thailand

• On 28 November 2024, H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore, and his spouse are on their first official visit to Thailand since assuming office in May 2024. It is the third time they are meeting, after encounters at the ASEAN Summit in October 2024 in Viantienne and the APEC Leader’s Meeting mid November 2024 in Lima.
• On the agenda, both sides discuss how to further strengthen relations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Singapore in 2025. That will range from exchange of high-level visits, strengthening security and economic partnership, people-to-people relations, and strategic cooperation. There are also new areas of cooperation to promote such as in cyber security, digital economy, green economy, and investment in future industries.
• The two Prime Ministers will witness the signing of an MOU on Cooperation between the Civil Service Commission of Thailand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, followed by a joint press conference by the two Prime Ministers.
• In the evening, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen will grant an audience to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore and his spouse at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall.

2. Minister of Foreign Affairs’ visit to the Sai and Ruak Rivers area in Chiang Rai Province

• On 1 December 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to travel to Chiang Rai Province to follow up on the progress of the Joint Committee Relating to Mae Sai – Nam Ruak Boundary Rivers (JCR). Thailand recently held a JCR meeting during 5 - 7 November 2024.
• The JCR mechanism engages both countries in the joint management of the area along the Mae Sai - Nam Ruak, which is a 59-kilometer fixed border, in order to prevent flooding, solve the problem of structures encroaching on the river, and promote fair use of water resources.
• This year, the northern region of Thailand has faced severe flooding, causing significant loss to the people. It has also changed the direction of the water flow, while structures that encroach on the river have also obstructed the flow of water, which is another cause of the flooding.

3. The temporary enshrinement in Thailand of the Holy Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha from China

• The Thai and Chinese governments have agreed to temporarily enshrine the Holy Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha from the Lingguang Temple in Beijing at Sanam Luang for 73 days, from 4 December 2024 to 14 February 2025. This is in celebration of the 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King and the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations in 2025.
• The sojourn is considered a great blessing for Buddhists, who will have the opportunity to pay homage. It is a testament to the close relationship between the two countries as the notion of “Thailand-China are as close as one family” and compliments the concept of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations “Thailand - China Community with a Shared Future for Enhanced Stability, Prosperity and Sustainability.”
• The Chinese government has previously allowed to temporarily enshrined the Holy Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha abroad six occasions. The first sojourn in Thailand was in 2002 at Buddha Monthon on the auspicious occasion of the 75th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
• The public can pay homage to the Holy Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha at the pavilion enshrined at Sanam Luang from 5 December 2024 to 14 February 2025, at 07.00 - 20.00 hours.

4. The relocation of the Temporary Passport Service Unit in Nong Khai Province.

• From 25 November 2024, the Temporary Passport Service Unit at the OTOP Product Exhibition and Sales Center Building, Nong Khai Province has moved to a new location at Asawan Shopping Complex 2, Mueang District, Nong Khai Province. It will be open Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., except for public holidays.
• Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has 27 Temporary Passport Offices and Temporary Passport Service Units nationwide, 6 of which are in the Northeast. The Temporary Passport Service Unit in Nong Khai Province normally provides services to over 20,000 people per year.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19SNLxGkxQ/?mibextid=KsPBc6