German president’s state visit to Thailand after 22 years sparks hope

[webfact]

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has embarked on a state visit to Thailand, commencing today, following an invitation extended by Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand. This marks the first visit by a German President to Thailand in 22 years, as stated by Chai Watcharonke, the Thai Government spokesperson.

 

The three-day visit has its highlight set for tomorrow, where a discussion on trade, investment, climate change, and vocational education will take place between Steinmeier and Srettha. German private sector representatives are set to be present at this event. A joint press conference will follow this discussion, succeeded by a lunch meeting, according to Chai.

 

The Thai government harbours expectations that this visit will amplify the cooperation between the two nations. Chai revealed that the German President has planned visits to industries that Germany perceives to have significant development potential. These include gas and electronic-based car manufacturers, a hydro-floating solar hybrid power plant, and a sustainable rice cropping company, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Promoting knowledge and cultural exchanges, Steinmeier’s itinerary also includes tourist sites such as Pha Taem National Park in Ubon Ratchathani and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Bangkok.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-24

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

[Dcheech]

A good trip, a happy ending, always works wonders. Perhaps Thailand can then make a pitch for a marine diesel engine?!

[Ben Zioner]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

The three-day visit has its highlight set for tomorrow, where a discussion on trade, investment, climate change, and vocational education will take place between Steinmeier and Srettha.

Discussions there will be, but no more, as sending the German president is like sending HM Queen of Netherlands.

[Purdey]

Srettha: Dear President Steinmeier, please invite your high tech companies to invest here so we can achieve Thailand 0.4 4.0

Steinmeier: Certainly. Please tell me about Thailand's educational level compared to the rest of ASEAN.

Srettha: Ummm.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, Dcheech said:

A good trip, a happy ending, always works wonders. Perhaps Thailand can then make a pitch for a marine diesel engine?!

Can you change your minds about the sanctions on China... Nein !!!

[zhounan]

Germany is desperately looking for places to relocate their industrial complex.

[newbee2022]

I suppose he comes with empty pockets due to Germany's problems at present. But he's still the host of Thailand's King who fell in love with Germany (and his blue 911🙏)

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Can you change your minds about the sanctions on China... Nein !!!

It's an EU ban that would apply to Germany.

The US itself has a ban that, I'm sure, expects EU nations to respect. Especially with China's general support in Russia's war with Ukraine. However, I can see political leverage the EU and US can apply pressure on China to minimize any zeal China has towards supporting Russia's war in relaxing done of the ban.

 

[Srikcir]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

This marks the first visit by a German President to Thailand in 22 years

However, PM Prayut and his Foreign Minister did hold talks with Chancellor Merkel in Germany in 2018 to elevate Thailand-Germany relations for industry, research and human relations development. Both countries have a parliamentary system of government in which the Prime Minister is head of state. But the German president (re-elected in 2022) has authority to act politically, especially in international relations. 

I suspect that the German president will co-op with the German chancellor on any deals with Thailand where the Bundestag is concerned.