(Thailand, 29th) Vietnamese President To Lam made his first visit to Thailand, during which Vietnam and Thailand agreed to deepen security and defense relations and strengthen cooperation in technology sharing and green energy.
To Lam, who also serves as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam, emphasized the necessity of strengthening political connections among Southeast Asian countries. The Southeast Asian region is often influenced by security and economic competition between the US and China.
According to Bloomberg, during talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin, To Lam said: "Both sides agreed to continue deepening political mutual trust and regard this as the foundation for the long-term close relationship between the two countries."
Thailand is the first stop of To Lam’s Southeast Asian tour. On Friday (May 29), he will deliver a keynote speech at the regional defense forum, the Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore, and will begin a two-day state visit to the Philippines on Sunday, where he will also meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Key points of To Lam’s visit to Thailand also include cooperation in trade and the aviation sector.
Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. Major Thai enterprises such as Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl and Siam Cement Pcl have also made significant investments in Vietnam.
The two leaders began their terms nearly simultaneously. To Lam took office as Vietnam’s president in April this year, while Anutin, who gained stronger public support in Thailand’s February elections, resumed office as prime minister in March.
This visit comes at a time when Vietnam’s economy is expected to surpass that of Thailand in the coming years, mainly due to strong foreign investment, infrastructure construction expenditure, and a younger demographic structure. In recent years, Vietnam’s economic growth rate has been more than double that of Thailand.
According to Bloomberg, during talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin, To Lam said: "Both sides agreed to continue deepening political mutual trust and regard this as the foundation for the long-term close relationship between the two countries."
Thailand is the first stop of To Lam’s Southeast Asian tour. On Friday (May 29), he will deliver a keynote speech at the regional defense forum, the Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore, and will begin a two-day state visit to the Philippines on Sunday, where he will also meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Key points of To Lam’s visit to Thailand also include cooperation in trade and the aviation sector.
Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. Major Thai enterprises such as Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl and Siam Cement Pcl have also made significant investments in Vietnam.
The two leaders began their terms nearly simultaneously. To Lam took office as Vietnam’s president in April this year, while Anutin, who gained stronger public support in Thailand’s February elections, resumed office as prime minister in March.
This visit comes at a time when Vietnam’s economy is expected to surpass that of Thailand in the coming years, mainly due to strong foreign investment, infrastructure construction expenditure, and a younger demographic structure. In recent years, Vietnam’s economic growth rate has been more than double that of Thailand.