Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his entourage left for China for a two-day official visit on Monday morning to further tighten ties between the two countries with the signing of several agreements.
Accompanying him in the trip included Thai Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Transport Minister and National Economic and Social Development Board secretary-general Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Phuengboon Na Ayudhaya, representatives of the Bank of Thailand and executives of the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
During the visit, Gen Prayut and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will witness the signing ceremony of four agreements to foster further cooperation between the nations, including the establishment of a renminbi clearing bank in Thailand to promote the use of local currencies to facilitate bilateral trade.
Other agreements are to renew existing bilateral swap agreements for the baht and yuan, to share technologies and experiences in water resource management, and to build cooperation to promote Chinese investment in the Thai capital market.
Asked by reporters about a party for the Thai football team which just won the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, the prime minister said only that he would look into this matter on his return from China.
He did not give a press interview before his departure.