Thai envoy to Malaysia lauds close bilateral relations
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The state visit by Malaysia's King and Queen to Thailand this week is a reflection of the continued excellent relations between the neighbouring countries, Thai ambassador to Malaysia Krit Kraichitti said.
The four-day state visit was the Malaysian royal couple’s second in 40 years. The King first visited in February 1973. Their Majesties the King and the Queen visited Malaysia in June 1962, he said.
The visit to Thailand followed on from Malaysia’s national day on August 31, he said, lauding it as historic.
The state visit has displayed the close ties between the countries and their peoples, Krit said, adding that both countries had joined hands in founding the Asean grouping.
The two countries have long cooperated on economic issues particularly gas drilling in the joint maritime development area, once a zone of conflict.
“Mutual trade has hit the Bt800 billion mark and 70 per cent is border trade. At present, 130 Malaysian firms are investing in Thailand while there are many Thai firms doing business in Malaysia.”
With a common border, Thailand and Malaysia have three mechanisms for security, economy and basic infrastructure. However, what is important is the relation between the two peoples. Thais in the border areas adjacent to the north of Malaysia are often related and share the same grandparents.
“The linking of the transportation network would play an important role for both countries, particularly when the Asean Economic Community comes into force in 2015. The convenient transportation network would result in an improved economy and high levels of tourism,” he said.
Talking about investment cooperation, the ambassador pointed to the work that has been done on building up the halal food industry. Malaysia considers Thailand as being in the top ten of food producers thus an alliance with Malaysia would mean certain expansion.
Talking about the protests by rubber growers in Thailand over the low prices of rubber, the ambassador said that Thai growers have emphasised selling fresh latex and raw rubber, which has a lower value than processed rubber.
“Malaysia currently has a project to construct a Rubber City in Kedah State, so if we were to supply the raw materials to factories in Malaysia and invite foreign investors to come in, this might help solve the low prices of rubber,” he added.
