During a captivating conversation with The Nation’s TV news channel, Prime Minister Srettha lifted the curtain on his initial sixty exhilarating days at the helm. He spoke about his various high-profile rendezvous with leading figures from our friendly neighbors, painting a vivid picture of the past two months. Of particular note was his participatory role in a significant assembly of the United Nations in mid-September, where he crossed paths with a host of other leaders.
Our Premier has thrown a spotlight on forming alliances with the movers and shakers of the business world, with an aim to invite international investment into Thailand. Jumping from one country meet to another, his diplomatic tour covered Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and even Hong Kong, with the purpose of courting potential investors.
In his enthralling narrative, PM Srettha delved into his dialogues with China’s lofty leader, President Xi Jinping. The conversations orbited around the development of fundamental infrastructure in the ASEAN region, with an ambitious eye on eventually connecting to Europe and Africa. Srettha echoed the importance of innovating and implementing future projects, using high-speed train access from Laos to Thailand as an exciting example of regional connectivity.
He proceeded to unroll the blueprint of Thailand’s Southern “Land Bridge” mega-project. Painting this behemoth architectural feat could indisputably ricochet Thailand up the charts of strategic locations, luring foreign investors to reconfigure their production bases to the thriving nation.
PM Srettha elucidated that his consultations with ASEAN leaders spanned a diverse spectrum of subjects, the majority dovetailing seamlessly with his government’s progressive agenda. The vision is set on turbocharging investment and employment opportunities, aiming to catapult the Thai economy by a significant 5% over the next decade.
In anticipation of his future international ventures, PM Srettha shared that his journey will lead him next to Laos on October 30, evidencing the keenness to further strengthen ASEAN unity. This would soon be followed by a voyage to San Francisco on November 12 to partake in the revered Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. His underlying intent? To reel in more foreign investments to the shores of Thailand.
Amid claims of his title as a “salesman”, Srettha demystified that the key lies in crafting balanced relationships amongst nations. Emphasising how both the Cabinet and the Board of Investment are collating comprehensive data sets to serve as a foundation for continued respectful dialogue, he reiterated that this would grease the wheels for effective negotiation.
In the context of the tumultuous Israel-Hamas conflict, and with a concern for Thai workers caught in the crossfire, PM Srettha confirmed sustained dialogues with various Thai business circles. He asserted that Thailand is equipped and prepared to render assistance, having empathetically acknowledged the lives lost and the ensuing grief. Thirty Thai citizens have tragically lost their lives in Hamas’s attack on Israel.
Addressing the sensitive issue of engaging private negotiators in discussions for guaranteed security, PM Srettha underpinned the delicate task of liberating Thai hostages. The background has seen a flurry of activities and numerous negotiation rounds. Srettha assured the eager listeners that many Thai workers have been safely repatriated, with more expressing eagerness to return to their homeland. The nation remains steadfast in her pledge for continued efforts to secure their safe return, building positive anticipation for progress by October 23, he affirmed.
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