Summary of Weekly Press Briefing by

Director-General of Department of Information/Spokesperson of MFA

Friday 12 July 2024 at 11.00 hrs.

Press Conference Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MFA FB Live

1. The visit to Thailand by Grand Imam Sheikh of Al-Azhar of the Arab Republic of Egypt

• Grand Imam Sheikh of Al-Azhar of Egypt visited Thailand as a guest of the Royal Thai Government. The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Egypt.
• While in Thailand, the Grand Imam had an audience with Their Majesties The King and Queen. He also had a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They discussed strengthening cooperation between both sides, particularly on education, religious affairs and culture.
• The Grand Imam also met with the President of the National Assembly and House of Representatives, and the Sheikhul Islam. He also gave a keynote speech on peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue.

2. Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Official Visit to China

• During 8 – 10 July 2024, H.E. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, made his first official visit to the People’s Republic of China.
• Together with Director Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, the Foreign Minister co-chaired the 2nd Meeting of the Consultation Mechanism between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and China, where many important issues were covered, in the economic realms, as well as transboundary haze, and transnational crime. Cooperation under ASEAN - China and Mekong - Lancang frameworks was also discussed.
• The Foreign Minister also made a courtesy call on Vice President Han Zheng, and met with Minister Liu Jianchao of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, and Mr. Ge Haijiao, Chairman of Bank of China.

3. Minister of Foreign Affairs attends the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in New Delhi, India

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs is currently on an official visit to India. This morning, he is scheduled to meet with the Minister of External Affairs of India, to discuss issues of bilateral cooperation. He will also meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, and attend a tripartite meeting with his Indian and Myanmar counterparts.
• Yesterday, the Foreign Minister attended the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat, where the Foreign Ministers of BIMSTEC countries exchanged views on various issues of interest while Thailand stated our readiness to host the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit this September, under the theme ‘Prosperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC’, or ‘PRO BIMSTEC’.
• During this visit, the Foreign Minister also jointly presided over the Opening Ceremony of the Photographic Exhibition “Thailand-India Interwoven Legacies: Stream of Faith in Buddhism” to commemorate the 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King.

4. Upcoming missions abroad by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Vice Foreign Minister:

• Minister of Foreign Affairs’ attendance at the Opening Ceremony of the BOI office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • On 14 July 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will visit Saudi Arabia, to jointly preside over the opening ceremony of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), Riyadh Office. This is the BOI’s 17th overseas post, and the first in the Middle East.
  • The Foreign Minister will also lead a 70-person delegation of government and private sector representatives to join the ‘Thai-Saudi Investment Forum’, a major gathering with business-matching opportunities.
  • During the visit, FM will also meet with senior representatives of Saudi Arabia, including the Minister of Health, Minister of Investment, and Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
• Vice Minister’s participation at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: HLPF
  • Vice Minister Russ Jalichandra will lead the Thai delegation to the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the UN Headquarters, New York, during 15 – 17 July 2024. This is a global forum where Member States review implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • During the visit, VFM will also hold bilateral meeting with high level representatives of various governments and organisations to engage them on Thailand's Human Rights Council (HRC) candidature.

5. Human Rights Issues in Myanmar

• Regarding the report of the UN Special Rapporteur of the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already clarified on 27 June 2024 and again on 29 June 2024 that the Ministry is aware and seeking clarifications regarding the report and noted also that the Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers Association and several Thai commercial banks had issued statements stating their clear policy of not supporting the purchase of weapons from any military organization in Myanmar while placing the utmost importance on preventing and prohibiting financial transactions for the purchase of weapons that are used in the violation of human rights
• As a result of the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security yesterday, the Bank of Thailand and the Anti-Money Laundering Office will conduct further investigations and report on their results to the Committee within 30 days.
• As the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated in that Parliamentary Committee meeting yesterday, Thailand wishes to see peace in Myanmar as soon as possible, and encourages all parties toward dialogue and a sustainable solution. The Thai government does not support the use of violence against the people of Myanmar in any shape or form, and gives the utmost importance to the promotion and protection of human rights and the well-being of the people of Myanmar, and strictly complying with the resolutions of the United Nations, while continuing to call on Myanmar to comply with ASEAN’s 5 point consensus.
• The Ministry will be closely coordinating with the Bank of Thailand and the Anti-Money Laundering Office on this issue.

6. Channels for reporting cases of Thai nationals abroad who may be victims of online crime syndicates

• The Ministry has coordinated with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau of the Royal Thai Police to establish channels for reporting on cases where Thai nationals abroad may have been victims of cyber crime syndicates.
• The Ministry urges Thai nationals to remain vigilant when conducting financial transactions, especially with persons unknown to them. MFA also reiterates that Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General do not request personal information or money transfers via telephone.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/xQJjSB4McyVm3KVa/?