US provides Thailand with $30m Covid assistance, reaffirms commitment in helping kingdom battle virus

Sherman visited Thailand on June 1 and 2 for “strategic discussions” with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and representatives from international organisations.

The two countries agreed on the importance of continuing to work together to combat the pandemic.

Sherman reaffirmed the deep importance the United States places on bilateral economic, security, and cultural ties between the two nations, which span more than two centuries, and highlighted decades of health cooperation, the statement said.

The visit, which came on the heels of the US-Thai Strategic Dialogue and the deputy secretary’s meetings at the Asean Secretariat, “was an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on defeating the Covid-19 pandemic, deepening security cooperation, increasing trade and investment, and expanding people-to-people ties”.

The two sides agreed on the importance of the US-Thai friendship in addressing economic and security challenges in the region, including the crisis in Myanmar, Mekong regional issues, and the pandemic.

“In addition, they had a mutually respectful and positive discussion on the value of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression," the press statement said.

Both sides highlighted the importance of cooperation in regional forums, including Apec, Asean, and the Mekong-US Partnership.

Sherman was also able to meet with representatives of international and non-governmental organisations to discuss humanitarian assistance for those displaced by the violence in Myanmar.

As she did at meetings with the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, the deputy secretary affirmed the United States’ call for an end to violence and an immediate return to democracy for the people of Myanmar at each of her meetings in Bangkok.