Coming to visit China, the new Prime Minister of Thailand
On September 17th, Thai Prime Minister's Office spokesperson Cha Wachalong stated that Thailand's newly appointed Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Seth Tawilin, plans to visit China from October 8th to 10th to discuss ten major issues, including how to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote tourism cooperation between Thailand and China.
Saita emphasized in his inauguration speech on September 11th that the primary focus of Thailand's new cabinet is the country's economic recovery. The Governor of Chang'an Street noticed that revitalizing the tourism industry is a top priority for Thailand's economic recovery, especially in attracting Chinese tourists. This urgency is evident from Seta's plan to improve the visa process for Chinese tourists shortly after taking office.
On August 22nd, the Thai parliament held a joint meeting of the upper and lower houses to elect the new Thai Prime Minister, Saita, who was elected by the Thai party as the candidate for Prime Minister. On August 25th, Seta publicly announced that it would implement a visa free policy for Chinese and Indian citizens.
On September 13th, the Thai government announced that it would implement a visa free system for Chinese tourists, starting from September 25th and continuing until February 29th of the following year, for a period of five months, covering the peak tourism seasons of Thailand and China.
Behind the rapid advancement of the visa system is Thailand's sluggish economic situation. According to data from the Thai Ministry of Commerce, in the first half of 2023, Thailand's exports decreased by 5.4% to 141 billion US dollars, while imports also decreased by 3.5% to 147 billion US dollars.
According to data from the National Economic and Social Development Commission of Thailand, Thailand's GDP only grew by 1.8% in the second quarter, and the GDP growth rate in the first half of 2023 was only 2%.
Seta previously emphasized that this visa free plan is the "best short-term economic stimulus" plan. To this end, Thailand is making comprehensive efforts.
On September 16th, during an inspection of the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, Saita stated, "China and Thailand have a deep friendship and convenient exchanges between the two countries. We should provide convenient services for Chinese tourists who enjoy traveling to Thailand so that they can plan their travels in advance. Previously, there was a problem of long waiting periods for visa applications to Thailand, but now that there is a visa free policy, there is no need to worry."
On September 13th, Seta arrived at the government building to attend his first formal cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, during his inspection in Chiang Mai, Saita emphasized the importance of strengthening security measures to the police.
He said that every department in Thailand is fully prepared to welcome Chinese tourists. "From the moment Chinese tourists enter Thailand, they will receive a satisfactory service experience, whether it is customs clearance, luggage collection, or travel from the airport to the destination." "Chinese tourists can come to Thailand with peace of mind, have fun, and not worry about encountering problems.".
Guess Wachalong said that tourism cooperation will become one of the main topics for Seta's visit to China. "China is one of the main target markets for Thailand's tourism industry. Thailand will launch tourism promotion activities specifically targeting Chinese tourists and establish a special team to explain negative news related to Thailand on the internet to Chinese tourists."
This year marks the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, as well as the beginning of the second decade of establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Thailand. In 2022, the bilateral trade volume between China and Thailand reached 135 billion US dollars, and China has become Thailand's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years; Last year, Chinese companies directly invested 2.2 billion US dollars in Thailand, once again becoming the largest source of foreign investment in Thailand.
Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Han Zhiqiang, stated in an interview with Thai media that many Chinese people are also deeply affected by illegal activities such as online gambling and telecommunications fraud. China supports Thailand in cracking down on and disposing of such illegal activities in accordance with the law. In fact, law enforcement agencies of China and Thailand have closely cooperated in combating cross-border crime and have achieved significant results.
Thailand has long pursued a pragmatic and meticulous foreign policy towards China. On September 16th, when asked if the new Thai government is seeking to "maintain balance" between China and the United States, Tsai Wachalong responded, "Thailand views the United States and China equally as two major trading partners."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated at a regular press conference on August 23 that as a friendly neighbor and community with a shared future of Thailand, China is pleased to see Thailand smoothly advance major political agendas such as the Prime Minister election. China congratulates Mr. Saita on his election as the new Prime Minister and believes that the Thai people will make new and greater achievements on the development path that is in line with their own national conditions.
Wang Wenbin said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries for nearly half a century, no matter how the international situation changes, both sides have always stood by and helped each other, moving forward side by side. China is willing to work with Thailand to unite and promote the construction of a community with a shared future, so that the people of both countries will always be good neighbors, good friends, good relatives, and good partners.
