Singapore: Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai expects better economic prospects and more investment in Asia including Thailand after recent positive signs in the region.
He was commenting on a raft of foreign policy developments in recent days, such as the meeting of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South's President Moon Jae-in on Friday, and talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
He said they were good signs for the prospects of peace, stability and prosperity in Asia.
"If China and India talk and understand each other, two giant countries of the world turn towards each other, and tension going back years is eased, how can Asia not be better?" he asked.
"The region will be peaceful, boosting confidence, which will attract trade and investment," he said adding that Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor is a promising investment destination. He was speaking at the Asean Summit which wrapped up in Singapore yesterday.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday had a bilateral talk with Myanmar President Win Myint in which Gen Prayut asked the country to speed up the labour registration process for Myanmar labours coming to work in Thailand, deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said.
The PM also wants to expedite connectivity and economic development projects in Dawei, Myanmar, Lt Gen Werachon said, adding that tripartite talks with Japan were also proposed.
Gen Prayut yesterday also chaired the 11th Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit, which discussed joint efforts to improve the economy and welfare of the people in the region -- including the south of Thailand -- over the past 25 years.
Joint border management, air linkages and green cities were among the highlighted areas.
On Friday, the Asean Foreign Ministers' Statement welcomed the positive developments in the Korean Peninsula, although many people -- including Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong -- said the real progress has yet to be seen.
Mr Don said the Asean ministers met and discussed global and regional diplomatic developments.
"A lot of things are making the diplomatic situation and environment in the region get better," he said, emphasising that China and Japan also cooperate regularly.
"The South China Sea can also be an area of peace, stability and sustainable development as well," he said, referring to progress in negotiations for the Code of Conduct governing the disputed area.
On the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar, the Thai foreign minister referred to assistance given through the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management.
"The issue in Rakhine state is not only about humanitarian [assistance] but also about repatriation," he said.
"There will be gradual positive development. It might be slow, but the driving and management process will be good for all parties involved," he said.
Many countries including Thailand have shown interest in providing help especially for the repatriation of the Rohingya people.
Thailand and Japan have provided an agricultural development project and Thailand will introduce the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to those who have passed nationality verification.
"We [Asean foreign ministers] discussed these matters but did not go into too much detail. Those who are ready, come and help Myanmar. This is in line with what the Myanmar government wants. We don't want to rush," he said.
At the 17th Asean Political-Security Community Council meeting, Thailand emphasised the Asean Centrality concept as well as the principle of leaving no one behind.
Meanwhile, it is promoting connectivity both among Asean members and beyond, especially border management and international cooperation in fighting cyber threats. The Asean-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre is expected to open in June, according to the MFA.
The Asean leaders adopted three outcome documents: the Asean Leaders' Vision for a Resilient and Innovative Asean; Asean Leaders' Statement on Cybersecurity Cooperation, and a concept paper on the Asean Smart Cities Network. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) comprises of 10 member states including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
