During a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh on March 16, Thai Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob confirmed that Thailand attaches great importance to cooperation in transportation with Vietnam.
According to Ambassador Thanh, the road connection between Vietnam, Laos and Thailand will contribute to promoting the connection of the Isan region in the Northeast region of Thailand, the provinces of Central Laos and Vietnam to major markets such as the US, China, the Republic of Korea and Japan.
He suggested that Vietnam and Thailand continue to work closely with Cambodia to speed up the formation of a coastal transport system and the organisation of the fifth meeting of the Working Group for building a coastal transport agreement among the three countries.
At the reception (Photo: VNA)
In terms of air connectivity, the two countries have now agreed to resume regular flights after COVID-19 and not limit commercial flights between the two countries.
Ambassador Thanh suggested that the Thai side not limit the frequency of regular commercial flights between Thailand and Vietnam.
He also suggested Minister Saksayam Chidchob continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese transport firms to operate in Thailand, contributing to strengthening air links between the two countries and boosting bilateral trade, investment and tourism partnership.
Thai Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob congratulated Vietnam on taking many measures to control the pandemic, and implementing the roadmap to reopening and recovering the economy, especially the recent decision to reopen international flights with more than 20 countries, including Thailand.
Minister Saksayam said that Thailand is currently implementing many connection projects such as road bridges and highways with localities of Laos, thereby contributing to enhancing connectivity with Vietnam, promoting and facilitating logistics activities between the two countries.
Minister Saksayam highly appreciated the efforts of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in promoting the negotiation of the agreement on coastal transport between the three countries.
The Thai Minister suggested that Vietnam soon organize the 5th meeting of the Working Group on Agreement development to discuss remaining technical issues.
He affirmed Thailand’s support and optimal conditions for Vietnamese transport businesses in Thailand.
Thailand is currently the largest trade partner of Vietnam among ASEAN member countries and the 8th biggest investor.
In the field of transport, the two countries have maitained close road, maritime and aviation connections. They have worked closely within the frameworks of ASEAN, the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and tripartite cooperation (Vietnam, Laos and Thailand), thus facilitating the transport of goods between the two sides./.