Thailand and Bhutan agreed to use the Joint Trade Committee as a main driver to boost trade and investment between the two countries during summit talks on Thursday.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is making a two-day official visit to Bhutan, met his Bhutanese counterpart, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, at Government House in the capital Thimphu at 5pm on Thursday (local time) to discuss the bilateral relationship and a wide range of cooperation, PM's office deputy spokesman Lt Gen Veerachon Sukontapatipak said.
The Bhutanese prime minister has praised Thailand for the successful rescue of all 13 people trapped in flooded Tham Luang cave, saying it was a big challenge to overcome all obstacles.
During the talks, the two leaders expressed their delight that the two countries have established close diplomatic ties at both royal and government levels, Lt Gen Veerachon said.
They were confident these ties would be further developed sustainably and strengthened.
Gen Prayut and Mr Tobgay discussed technical cooperation in a wide range of areas, including agriculture, public health, education, science and technology, the deputy spokesman said.
They agreed to use the JTC as a main mechanism to boost trade and investment between the two countries. With its potential in tourism and construction, Bhutan welcomed increasing investment in its country by the Thai private sector, particularly in hotels and construction, and promised to take care and provide convenience for Thai investors, Lt Gen Veerachon said.
The Bhutanese prime minister also pledged to push for joint tourism cooperation under the “Two Kingdoms One Destination’’ concept and saw this as strengthening relations.
To mark the 30th diplomatic relations, Thailand was willing to support a project providing for eye, ear and throat medical treatment and set up a centre to transfer knowledge in this field to medical personnel in Bhutan, he said.
His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wanchuck granted a royal audience to Gen Prayut and his wife Narporn at the Tashichhodzong, the royal palace, at 1.30pm (local time) on Thursday.
Gen Prayut was grateful that the monarch visited Thailand to pay tribute to the late King Bhumibol and attend the royal cremation last October.
During the royal audience, the prime minister praised Bhutan for it progress in development projects, particularly irrigation and water management, undertaken under the monarch’s advice, Lt Gen Veerachon said.