| Azlan Othman in Bangkok |
DIRECTOR General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sek Wannamethee yesterday lauded His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s role in Asean.
Speaking to the visiting Asean journalists at a dialogue held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok yesterday, Sek added that His Majesty has been in the position as a leader for a long time.
“In other countries like Thailand and Malaysia, governments and foreign ministers come and go.”
He shared the view that Brunei works behind the scene in resolving issues such as the Code of Conduct in Southeast Asia – underlining the significant role played by the Sultanate in promoting solidarity in the Asean region – and that there is no doubt issues had arose from time to time.
“Brunei’s foreign minister also gained respect not only from the Asean counterparts, but from other countries as well,” he added.
The director general revealed that His Majesty will join 34 leaders from Asia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at the upcoming Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit meeting scheduled to be held in Bangkok on October 10.
ACD discusses issues relating to the quality of life – spanning across culture, food security and tourism, which are of mutual benefit. The summit helps to sustain Asia’s competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Deputy Government Spokesperson Major General Werachon Sukondhapati Pak noted that the comfort level among Asean leaders is very high during these Asean meetings, with interactions over coffee breaks depicting the close relations enjoyed between them.
Director General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sek Wannamethee speaking to the media. – AZLAN OTHMAN
Meanwhile, Executive Director Deputy for Advertising and Public Relations Department of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, pointed out that 7,000 tourists from the Sultanate visited Thailand in the first seven months of this year, a five per cent decrease in arrivals compared to the same period last year.
“It could be higher if we overcome limitations like air connectivity between Bandar Seri Begawan and Bangkok,” he said.
In 2015, 13,800 people from Brunei visited Thailand, indicating a 20 per cent growth, while 2014 recorded 11,200 visitors from the Sultanate.
Between January and July of this year, some five million Asean tourists (about 25 per cent of total tourist arrivals) travelled to Thailand.
Aside from leisure purposes, more Bruneians are headed to Thailand for its medical tourism. Private hospitals offer facilities like visa facilitation and private hospital care.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between the Brunei Government and BNH Medical Centre Limited to bolster existing cooperation between Brunei and Thailand, especially in the field of health.
Among the areas of cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the BNH Medical Centre Limited under the MoU are the exchange of medical professionals, joint projects in medical research, joint seminars and training programmes, as well as transfer of patients to undergo treatment at the BNH Medical Centre Limited.
Meanwhile, Brunei and Thailand has no trade issues to deal with, said Inspector General of the Ministry of Commerce, Banjogiit Angsusingh.
“We also don’t have trade committee meeting, but we wish to cooperate in the area of Halal products,” he added.
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