General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, was received by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a welcome ceremony at the Istana today. Prime Minister Prayut also called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam and met Prime Minister Lee for the Singapore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat. 

President Tan and Prime Minister Prayut reaffirmed the longstanding ties between the two countries and noted that 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. They noted the broad-ranging and multi-faceted bilateral cooperation and reiterated their commitment for both countries to work closely bilaterally and in ASEAN. 

At the Leaders’ Retreat, both Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of maintaining institutional linkages between the two governments. In this regard, Prime Minister Prayut noted that Thailand would be hosting the Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme and the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship Ministerial Meeting later this year. They also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral economic ties, particularly in developing the cruise tourism industry in Southeast Asia. Both leaders also discussed cooperation in education and information technology.

On regional issues, the leaders noted that cyber security and counter-terrorism were two challenges facing the region and emphasised the importance for both countries to cooperate to tackle these challenges. They also reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to cooperate closely on ASEAN, and to realise the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of this year. 

Following their discussion, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of (i) a revised Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement; (ii) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cruise Tourism; (iii) MOU on cooperation in the field of broadcast, audiovisual, animation, games and digital media; and (iv) MOU on promoting economic cooperation between the Singapore Manufacturing Federation and the Federation of Thai Industries. Prime Minister Lee also hosted an official dinner banquet in honour of Prime Minister Prayut at the Istana in the evening. 

On 12 June, Prime Minister Prayut will meet business leaders over lunch at a business forum organised under International Enterprise Singapore’s “Global Conversations” to promote business links. Prime Minister Prayut will also visit the Marina Bay Cruise Centre to learn about Singapore’s cruise tourism industry, and the Singapore Botanic Gardens for an Orchid Naming Ceremony.