Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made waves in Paris as he orchestrated a series of high-stakes meetings with France’s business elite.

 

From fashion to automotive technology, the 62 year old Thai PM’s mission was clear: to solidify Thailand’s status as a regional powerhouse for trade and innovation.

 

Kicking off his jam-packed schedule yesterday morning, PM Srettha delved into talks with Sébastien Bazin, AccorHotels CEO, exploring synergies to turbocharge tourism across Thailand and the ASEAN region.

Next on the agenda was a tête-à-tête with Pascal Morand, the visionary driving France’s haute couture scene, as they schemed to position Thailand as Southeast Asia’s epicentre for fashion and design excellence.

Next, the Bangkok-born PM was in deep discussion with Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guide director, strategising ways to showcase Thailand’s gastronomic prowess to the world.

 

The meeting continued with Bénédicte Épinay of Comité Colbert, where the Thai premier extended a warm invitation for French luxury brands to explore Thailand’s cultural richness and collaborate on elevating Thai products onto the global stage.

 

In the afternoon, the prime minister engaged in talks with executives from Valeo, charting a path towards carbon neutrality in the automotive industry, a crucial step in Thailand’s environmental agenda.

 

Later, the Thai PM turned his attention to Airbus Group, ensuring the seamless operation and future growth of its Thai branch, vital for helicopter MRO services in Southeast Asia.

 

Closing the day with flair, PM Srettha huddled with EssilorLuxottica’s top brass, addressing logistical challenges to bolster Thailand’s position as an export hub for optical goods, reported The Nation.

 

The last engagement saw the Thai PM-cum-finance minister broker deals with Forvia Group, affirming Thailand’s appeal for automotive investment and pledging to streamline bureaucratic processes for smoother business operations.

 

In related news, earlier this week, PM Srettha highlighted the nation’s infrastructure advancements, particularly the Land Bridge and Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) projects, at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, according to an official government representative.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-11

 

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

From fashion to automotive technology, the 62 year old Thai PM’s mission was clear: to solidify Thailand’s status as a regional powerhouse for trade and innovation

We have cheap labour, you bring investments, companies and knowledge.

Not sure which is more ridiculous: The PM's travels or the breathless reporting.

 

I guess we can say that both parties are doing their best.

 

The other members of his party don't look as though they're much engaged. "It's all Greek to me."

Thaiger at its most, umh, enthusiastic!

So basically wooing expensive products and brand names and informing them there is great access to make huge sales and profits off a segment of their wealthy population and foreign tourist base.

This must have been the news clip my Mrs was watching last night, and she commented that Thaksin's daughter was there with the PM keeping an eye on him for her dad!

PM Srettha, a real power player, dynamo, of the worlds international geopolitical/business elite.

Not too much of a stretch ...

53 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Not sure which is more ridiculous: The PM's travels or the breathless reporting.

 

I guess we can say that both parties are doing their best.

 

The other members of his party don't look as though they're much engaged. "It's all Greek to me."

 

I am wondering whether most if not all opening  "stories" on AN are generated by ChatGPT. 

The "English" in all these items has the syrupy blandness common to all AI generated $hite.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s status as a regional powerhouse for trade and innovation.

What is Thailand status in innovation? How many innovations originated in Thailand? What have Thais created?

This is so puzzling as I cannot think of anything invented here. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made waves in Paris as he orchestrated a series of high-stakes meetings with France’s business elite.

 

He has a few leads, he made a few sales calls. Probably expensed a lavish lunch or three.

 

No deals closed.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsl1ZxnreDE

 

29 minutes ago, Purdey said:

I cannot think of anything invented her

Designer military coups

5 hours ago, webfact said:

PM Srettha

He promised more trade to boost GDP growth and at least he's putting in the effort personally. Hopefully the Paris trip will lead to another FTA that typically includes Thai EXPORTS of both Goods and Services as well as foreign imports. In the short run, FTA's are more valuable in the short term  than long term infrastructure projects favored by former PM Prayut with regard to GDP growth and middle class income trap.

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

What is Thailand status in innovation? How many innovations originated in Thailand? What have Thais created?

This is so puzzling as I cannot think of anything invented here. 

 

Judging by the well-organized burglaries in Rayong (reported today), they do seem to have invented Daylight Robbery. 

This guy is tirelessly working his $800 million smile. 

 

The meeting continued with Bénédicte Épinay of Comité Colbert, where the Thai premier extended a warm invitation for French luxury brands to explore Thailand’s cultural richness. 

 

Sorry, that one will not work. With some of the highest luxury taxes in the region, the market for luxury goods here is very small. I have some advice for Sretta. Make some sacrifices to attract these companies. Lower luxury taxes, to help create a market. They are not coming here because Thailand is the center of the universe, despite your protestations to the contrary.