Beijing:Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkaew engaged in discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Minister Wang Yi, to address the need for a clear travel advisory for Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. The discussions aimed to prevent generalizations that could label Thailand as a high-risk area, which could affect tourism.
According to Thai News Agency, Sihasak and Wang Yi also deliberated on preparations for the upcoming visit of the Chinese Premier to Thailand. Sihasak expressed hopes that China would uphold its commitment to purchasing 500,000 tons of Thai rice—a promise made during a previous Chinese Prime Minister's visit to Thailand.
The meeting was part of the 11th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Beijing. Sihasak emphasized the strong diplomatic relationship between Thailand and China, which has been further strengthened by recent high-profile visits, and described it as a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Trade and investment were significant topics during the talks, with China being Thailand's largest trading partner. Sihasak highlighted Thailand's trade disadvantage and urged China to open its markets further to Thai products. Additionally, discussions included China's potential investments in Thailand's emerging and high-tech industries, like electric vehicles.
Addressing transnational crime, Sihasak discussed with Wang Yi the global issue of scams targeting tourists, particularly involving Chinese nationals. Sihasak stressed the importance of clear warnings to tourists, indicating that the problem lies not with Thailand but with specific scamming groups. He called for collaborative efforts between Thailand and China to address these issues effectively.