Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has proposed that the United Arab Emirates become a hub for the distribution of Thai agricultural products, particularly rice.
He made this proposal to Mohammed Ali Ahmed Omran Al Shamsi, the UAE's ambassador to Thailand, who called on him on Thursday, according to a Government House source.
Gen Prayut thanked the ambassador for having actively performed his duties to strengthen relations and cooperation between Thailand and the UAE throughout the past 5 1/2 years in the kingdom.
He praised the ambassador for having run several projects for Thai Muslims, offering donations for the construction of mosques and religious schools, and helping needy Thai Muslims go on pilgrimages for the Haj.
The prime minister also thanked the UAE government for its understanding of the political situation in Thailand.
The prime minister invited the UAE to invest in various projects with Thailand, particularly rice and agricultural products. Gen Prayut said that as Thailand prepares to join the Asean Economic Community, expanding connections with other nations to facilitate tourism and transport of goods was important.
Moreover, Thailand is glad to welcome tourists from the UAE and will provide them with conveniences during their visit, he said.
The ambassador said more UAE tourists are visiting Thailand every year, particularly for medical treatment. The number of tourist arrivals from the Emirates last year was 117,828 in 2014, down 4.9% from a year earlier, according to the Tourism Department.
The two sides agreed to exchange more official visits at every level.