On 12 October 2023, His Excellency Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand, paid an official visit to the Republic of Singapore, at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore. This visit elevated Thailand - Singapore relations towards common prosperity and a future-oriented partnership.

During the visit, the Prime Minister had a cordial and substantive discussion with the Singaporean Prime Minister on a wide range of issues. Both sides agreed to effectively utilise existing bilateral mechanisms, namely the Thailand – Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP), Singapore Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER), and leaders’ consultation, in order to promote closer cooperation.

On economic cooperation, both countries will enhance economic synergy in digital and green economy, as well as hi-tech investment and trade.

First, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on digital economy, building upon the success of the PromptPay (Thailand) – PayNow (Singapore) linkage. The Thai side also reiterated an intention to join Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) to support Thai SMEs on digital trade facilitation and market expansion in digital domain.

Second, the two countries will cooperate on transition to green economy, to achieve their committed targets of net zero carbon emission through joint green investment and exchange of best practices from Singapore. At the same time, Singapore views Thailand as a potential source of renewable energy in the region.

Third, the two sides discussed ways to enhance trade, investment and food security by encouraging more agricultural product export from Thailand and utilising existing potential of Thailand as an electronic manufacturing hub to further develop hi-tech industry and innovation.

Fourth, the two countries agreed to support each other to revive tourism in the post COVID-19 pandemic.

On security cooperation, both sides were pleased with the close and cordial defense cooperation and agreed to further enhance cyber security cooperation to combat transnational crimes and online scams.

Both sides also widely discussed key regional and international developments, such as Israel-Palestine and the assistance rendered to affected Thai nationals, the competition of major powers, US’s inflation and impact on regional economy, and cooperation under ASEAN, as well as the commitment to work side by side as strategic partners to strengthen ASEAN centrality.

Moreover, Prime Minister Srettha extended his invitation to His Excellency Mr. Lee Hsien Loong to pay an official visit to Thailand at a mutually convenient date, which the Prime Minister of Singapore accepted with pleasure.

The Prime Minister also had a courtesy call with His Excellency Mr. Tharman Shamugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, during which both sides agreed that there are still room for further cooperation such as cyber security, digital trade, hi-tech and green investment, renewable energy and tourism.

He also met with Deputy Chairman and CEO of UOB Group to discuss possibility of market expansion of financial capitals and products to Thailand.