THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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UK minister in Thailand to improve bilateral ties 

UK minister in Thailand to improve bilateral ties 

Mark Field, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Asia and Pacific, arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday for a two-day visit to discuss bilateral ties as well as political development and human rights practices in Thailand.

“Thailand and the UK share a long and deep relationship. I’m pleased to be here, to meet my Thai counterparts to build and expand on this. 
“We’ll be developing many practical areas of cooperation: from education and science and technology collaboration through the Newton Fund, to shared trade and prosperity priorities. This will be underpinned by discussions on Thailand’s upcoming elections and human rights,” Field said in a press statement issued on his arrival.
On Wednesday, he plans to meet Thai senior officials on topics including human rights, election plans, education, science and technology. 
He is to meet Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong to discuss the strength of the relationship between the two countries and opportunities to increase bilateral trade and prosperity. 
Field will join the Newton Fund Awards Ceremony, to announce the first Bt 996 million (23 million pound sterling) support for collaboration on research and innovation in science, according to a statement. 
He will see the Minister for Education Teerakiat Jareonsettasin to discuss commitments between the UK and Thailand on English language training, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and vocational education. 
They will also discuss opportunities for foreign universities to set up branch campuses in Thailand, the statement said. 
Thailand’s political development will also be discussed. Field plans to speak to political figures to hear their views on the political roadmap and the upcoming elections. He will also meet Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists to offer UK support, hear about their work in the region and the challenges they and other human rights defenders face.
On Thursday, he intends to visit the National Legislative Assembly and speak to members of the Financial Technology (Fintech) Committee and express the UK’s commitment to deepening relationships with the NLA and cooperating to promote financial technology.
Field arrived in Thailand after attending the Asia Europe Meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday and plans to travel to Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday. 

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