Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday assured his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe that the national political situation has stabilised and Thai-Japanese collaboration efforts will continue uninterrupted, according to deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak.
The meeting with Mr Abe took place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Japan's Osaka, said Lt Gen Werachon.
In response to Gen Prayut's remark, the Japanese premier expressed hopes that a smart city initiative under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) would be developed in a near future, according to the deputy spokesman.
Moreover, both leaders agreed that Thailand and Japan should foster their collaboration in promoting sustainable development in Asean and across the region, said Lt Gen Werachon.
Thailand, as chair of Asean, also expressed readiness to support initiatives put forth by Japan and members of G20, particularly regarding rule-based free and open multilateral trading.
According to the deputy spokesman, Gen Prayut also urged Japan to push the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is expected to materialise this year.
Lt Gen Werachon also said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison supported a Thai bid to seal the RCEP to bolster trade, during another meeting yesterday.
The RCEP is a proposed free-trade agreement between the 10 Asean nations and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.