Strengthening Ties: Singapore PM on Official Visit to Thailand
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong arrived in Thailand on a visit aimed at further bolstering the longstanding and close relationship between the two Southeast Asian nations. PM Lee is scheduled to meet with senior Thai government officials, highlighting the collaborative spirit and deepening ties between Singapore and Thailand.
A Deep and Multifaceted Partnership
The relationship between Singapore and Thailand extends beyond diplomatic exchanges and encompasses a wide range of sectors, including defense, economics, education, and public administration. Both countries participate in exercises such as Exercise Cobra Gold, a testament to their commitment to regional security.
Investing in Regional Expertise
Through the Singapore-Thailand Third Country Training Programme, both nations collaborate to provide capacity-building courses for officials from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste. This unique partnership, the only one of its kind that Singapore has with a fellow ASEAN member, has already seen the successful completion of over 70 courses, benefiting more than 1,000 officials.
A Shared Vision for the Future
During a visit to Thailand in June, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa jointly opened the 14th Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme. At the event, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening engagement in key areas such as sustainability, renewable energy, science and technology, the digital economy, and education.
Driving Economic Prosperity Together
The Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) framework provides a platform for both nations to strengthen their economic cooperation. Following the 6th STEER meeting held in Bangkok last October, both countries committed to further deepening engagement in trade and investment, tourism, and emerging areas like the digital economy, innovation, and sustainability.
Thriving Tourism and Trade Ties
Thailand and Singapore consistently rank among each other’s top tourist destinations. In 2023 alone, approximately 1.9 million visitors travelled from Singapore to Thailand, while around 450,000 tourists made the journey from Thailand to Singapore. Reflecting the strong economic bond, bilateral trade between the two countries reached an impressive $41.78 billion in 2023, making them each other’s ninth-largest trading partner.
A Major Investor with Confidence in Thailand’s Future
Singapore emerged as Thailand’s second-largest foreign investor in 2023, injecting a substantial $4.8 billion into the Thai economy. These investments span a wide array of sectors, including financial and insurance services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and real estate, underscoring Singapore’s unwavering confidence in Thailand’s growth potential.
Accompanying Prime Minister Lee on his visit is Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and officials from Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the Prime Minister’s absence, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will assume the role of Acting Prime Minister.
What are some of the key areas of cooperation between Singapore and Thailand, as mentioned in the interview?
## Interview: Singapore PM’s Visit Strengthens ASEAN Ties
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to Thailand, which aims to further strengthen ties between the two nations. Joining us to analyze this visit is Dr. Anna Wong, Southeast Asia expert at the Institute of International Relations. Dr. Wong, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Wong:** Pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Prime Minister Lee’s visit highlights the robust relationship between Singapore and Thailand. Could you elaborate on the key areas of cooperation?
**Dr. Wong:** Absolutely. Singapore and Thailand enjoy a multifaceted partnership spanning diverse sectors. We see strong collaboration in defence, with both nations participating in multinational exercises like Cobra Gold, demonstrating their commitment to regional security. Economically, they are key trading partners, and the relationship extends to education, public administration, and more.
**Host:** It’s interesting to note that this partnership includes capacity building for other ASEAN countries.
**Dr. Wong:** Precisely. The Singapore-Thailand Third Country Training Programme is a great example. It equips officials from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste with essential skills, fostering regional development. This unique program, the only one of its kind Singapore has with an ASEAN partner, underscores their joint commitment to regional upliftment.
**Host :** Do you see this visit leading to further concrete developments in the bilateral relationship?
**Dr. Wong:** I certainly believe so. This visit, coupled with recent interactions like the opening of the 14th Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme, demonstrates a steadfast commitment to deepening engagement in key areas like sustainability and innovation. We can expect to see tangible outcomes in these fields in the near future.
**Host:** Dr. Wong, thank you for your insightful analysis. It’s clear that Singapore PM’s visit to Thailand signifies a powerful commitment to strengthening a vital ASEAN partnership.
**[End of Interview]**