Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa delivered a speech focusing on revitalizing Thailand's image on Friday. (Photo/Courtesy of Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
At his first major press conference as Thai foreign minister, Maris Sangiampongsa expounds on his perspectives to "Reignite Thai Foreign Policy".
"Our priority is to bring Thailand back into focus in different dimensions, both business and tourism, which have a profound impact on our economy," said the foreign minister on Friday.
His outlines include revitalizing Thailand's image and rebuilding confidence, restoring Thailand's regional and global roles, and helping to speed up trade and tourism with neighboring countries and beyond.
He said Thailand's foreign policy will go hand-in-hand with public policy, which places people at the center. "Our foreign policy aims to bring economic cooperation that improves the livelihood of the people in both countries," he noted.
Also, the government aims to improve the quality of the education system to accommodate the adaptation of new technologies. In this process, the ministry plays a crucial role with about 100 offices operating worldwide as a main network to revitalize Thailand's image.
In addition, the government also has "Team Thailand" comprising other Thai government agencies attached to the embassies overseas. "The work of our agencies is integrated towards the same direction to attract investment and trade, among others," Maris said.
"I have instructed all our personnel to be proactive in reaching out to our counterparts. Now and moving forward, I would like to see our foreign policy and our diplomatic staff become more proactive in encouraging concrete cooperation," he said.
Maris Sangiampongsa notes that Thailand's foreign policy will go hand-in-hand with public policy, which places people at the center. (Photo/Courtesy of Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Maris also reaffirmed the kingdom's strategic location and its connection with ASEAN countries, China, Japan and South Korea, BIMSTEC and the South Asian countries.
"One of our greatest advantages is our strategic location. Our cooperation would mostly be based on logistical management with Thailand at the center of both production and logistics," he added.
He also explained another priority of the government to increase market access through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), expressing his support to further strengthen the ministry's role in giving valuable advice to the private sector and encouraging them to take advantage of the FTAs.
"The emerging or new markets, such as Africa, Central Asia and Latin America are regions that have great potential. I myself will focus more on relations with the emerging markets and pave the way for official visits by the Prime Minister to lead to concrete outcomes," he added.
Maris noted that Thailand aims to increase its role among developing countries, further improving people-to-people relations and build more accesses to the new market.
Apart from boosting two-way exchanges on the soft power, he said the foreign ministry is now working with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to expand our tourism sector.
The Thai government recently launched the "Six countries, One destination Initiative", under which Thailand will promote tourism along with five nearby countries in ASEAN to boost their cooperation in tourism.
To remove security concerns about traveling to the kingdom, Maris said the ministry is preparing to introduce the Electronic Traveling Authorization, or ETA system, which will monitor travelers' routes and tourists' behavior. The information will be further analyzed to ensure safety and security.
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