Summary of Weekly Press Briefing
on 2 June 2023, at 11.00 hrs.
at Press Conference Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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1. Updates on the Return of “Plai Saksurin” from Sri Lanka

• The return of “Plai Saksurin” elephant to Thailand is expected to be in July 2023. RTE Colombo has been working closely with related agencies in Sri Lanka and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to proceed with related matters, such as the making of a safe cage and the required permission.
• During a courtesy call by PM of Sri Lanka on 31 May, PM Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked the Sri Lankan Government for approving the return to Thailand of Plai Saksurin for further medical treatment.
• MFA thanked Dehiwala Zoo in Sri Lanka for looking after and treating Plai Saksurin since November last year.

2. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka’s visit to Thailand (31 May – 3 June 2023)

• On 31 May – 3 June 2023, H.E. Mr. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, visited Thailand to attend the United Nations International Day of Vesak held on 1 – 2 June 2023, upon an invitation from International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV). He was a speaker on the topic of “Buddhist Wisdom Coping with Global Crises” at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Ayutthaya Province on 1 June 2023 and attended the event at UNESCAP on 2 June 2023.
• During his courtesy call with PM Prayut on 31 May 2023, both sides emphasised close relations between the two countries, especially through Buddhism. Both are also pleased with the progress on Thailand-Sri Lanka FTA negotiation, expected to be finalized by early 2024. PM of Sri Lanka expressed his appreciation over Thailand’s help during the country’s economic crisis in 2022 and encouraged private sectors from both sides to increase mutual trade and investment value. PM of Thailand stressed the significance of development cooperation, particularly human resource development, in which Thailand stands ready to support Sri Lanka in the areas of need.
• PM of Sri Lanka will be granted an audience to His Majesty the KingMaha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua on 2 June 2023. Earlier, he was granted an audience with His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanayana the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand on 1 June 2023.
• The UN General Assembly in 1999 recognized internationally the Day of Vesak to acknowledge the contribution of Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, to the spirituality of humanity. This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices.
• Other than the events in Bangkok, the Thai Government, through RTE and permanent missions to the UN also organised together with Sri Lanka an event for Vesak Day at UN headquarters and offices in New York, Geneva, Nairobi, and Vienna. Besides, RTE Colombo also held an event in collaboration with the Sri Lankan government.

3. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand joined the Africa Day 2023 (29 May 2023)

• On 29 May 2023, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the Africa Day 2023 under the theme “Africa Day, Year of AfCFTA--Acceleration of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Implementation” at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, organised by the African Embassies in Bangkok, namely Morocco, Kenya, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria and South Africa. 
• Africa Day is celebrated annually on 25 May to commemorate of the foundation of the African Union in 1963 with the headquarter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The purpose of the union aims for unity and solidarity of the African countries which were then newly independent.
• DPM/FM Don congratulated the African Ambassador Group on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the formation of African Union and emphasised on Thailand’s determination to enhance Thai - Africa relations.
• MFA will organise a special event entitled “The Colours of Africa 2023” in July in Khon Kaen province to raise awareness of the potentials of Africa in the areas of trade and investment and to promote better understanding on Africa through culture and tourism among the Thai public, private sectors, and Thai academia.
• As the 2^nd largest region with 1.2 billion population in which 60 percent is under 25 years old, Africa holds tremendous potential for economic opportunities. In 2022, the trade value between Thai – Africa surpassed 14 billion USD. Africa is also an important rice market for Thailand. Thus, Thai private sectors and related sectors are encouraged to further explore trade and investment opportunities in this region.

4. Seminar on “Doing Business with the United Nations”

• On 30 May 2023, the Dept. of International Organizations, MFA and UNESCAP co-hosted a seminar on “Doing Business with the United Nations” held at Vithes Samosorn, MFA.
• Building on the success of its predecessors, this 3^rd seminar with UNESCAP aimed to provide an opportunity for the Thai private sector to better understand the process of forging business partnership with the UN and its agencies through the UN procurement process. This seminar also emphasized key sectors of current demand at the UN, namely, ICT, fuel, air transport, building and construction as well as food and catering.
• According to the latest Annual Statistical Report on UN Procurement in 2021, the total of the UN Secretariat procurement volume was around 29.6 billion USD, with goods and services in the health sector being the most purchased, mostly due to COVID-19.
• Statistics from UNESCAP in 2022 also showed that the UN Secretariat procurement with Thai suppliers amounted to around 31.3 million USD, increasing by 18.9 million USD from the previous year, with building and construction being the largest contributors.

5. Signing ceremony of Thailand-European Union Agreement on Thailand’s Recognition of EU Laissez-Passer as Valid Travel Document(1 June 2023)

• On 1 June 2023, DG Asi Mamanee of the Dept. of European Affairs, and EU Amb. David Daly signed the Thailand-EU Agreement on Thailand’s Recognition of the Laissez-Passer issued by the EU as a Valid Travel Document.
• The ceremony was witnessed by DPM/FM, MFA executives, as well as representatives from the Thai authorities concerned and members of the EU Delegation.
• The Signing was expected to encourage more exchanges of high-level visits, facilitate EU experts’ visits to Thailand to advance cooperation in various sectors of mutual benefits, and promote the sharing of best practices and know-how. The Agreement will also benefit the operation of Thailand’s internal immigration procedures.
• The Laissez-Passer Agreement represented the continued efforts of both sides to maintain the dynamism of Thailand-EU relations. Indeed, this ceremony took place after the successful conclusion and signing of the Thailand-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in December 2022 and the launch of the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement (Thai-EU FTA) negotiations earlier this year, which when concluded, will significantly help increase Thai businesses’ market access to 27 developed economies.
• After their ties had been restored in 2019, Thailand and EU continued to make progress in various areas, notably the recently signed PCA and the new ongoing round of FTA negotiations. The development is aligned with the increasing EU engagement with ASEAN and in the Indo-Pacific.
• For Thailand, EU provided Thailand with new economic opportunities and key sources of science, technology, innovation, as well as examples of good practices.

6. Additional humanitarian aid in case of Cyclone Mocha (31 May 2023)

• Since Cyclone Mochahit Myanmar last month causing loss of lives, injuries, and damages to properties in many areas of Myanmar, Thailand, as Myanmar’s neighboring country, has provided humanitarian assistance to Myanmar since 22 May
• The latest batch was delivered on 31 May 2023, when H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, designated Mr. Chatchai Viriyavejakul, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs, to be his representative at the humanitarian aid delivery ceremony. Representatives of PTT Public Company Limited, Ohmmy Jelly Company Limited, Garuda Gold Social Enterprise Company Limited and Suan Dusit Home Bakery Committee, Suan Dusit University, delivered the relief items, through H.E. U Chit Swe, Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand, at MFA.
• The additional humanitarian aid from the public and private sectors consists of dried foods and other necessary items. The delivery was transported by land from Bangkok on 1 June 2023 and will arrive in Yangon on 3 June 2023, with the support from the Thai-Myanmar Association for Friendship. RTE Yangon will represent the Royal Thai Government to hand over the relief items to related agencies in Myanmar and Myanmar Red Cross Society.

Weekly Press Briefing: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiMFA/videos/3298329880458510/

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