Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin defended his frequent globe-trotting during his first 10 months as Thailand’s leader, in remarks aired in a television broadcast today (June 22).

 

Since taking office in August last year, Srettha has made 15 overseas visits, sparking public criticism and prompting him to pledge a two-month travel hiatus in March.

 

He explained that many of these trips were unavoidable due to official commitments, such as meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and visits to pivotal nations like China and Japan. A notable trip to Sri Lanka was aimed at signing a free trade pact.

 

Described as “Thailand’s salesman,” Srettha’s primary goal is to attract foreign investment. He stressed that his international engagements are crucial for fostering trade and investment opportunities.

 

“It’s necessary to go,” he asserted in the pre-recorded remarks, adding that “Thailand does not have a conflict with any nation, and all the countries I travelled to are keen on investing in Thailand.”

 

Countries he visited include several EU states, Australia, China, and the US. Srettha noted that these nations seek to invest in Thailand due to its fair and neutral stance, even when they have disagreements among themselves.

 

This neutrality ensures production bases and supply chains remain stable even if geopolitical tensions arise.

 

Additionally, Srettha highlighted Thailand’s ambition to become an aviation hub. Plans are underway to expand Suvarnabhumi Airport’s capacity from 60 million to 150 million passengers by constructing an additional terminal and runways.

 

He also touched upon the implementation of the Land Bridge megaproject in Thailand's upper southern region, set to start in 2025 and finish in 2030. This project aims to shorten cargo vessel routes, allowing ships to bypass the Malacca Strait in Singapore. It would also provide a neutral shipping route in case of future conflicts.

 

Srettha’s defence underscores the strategic importance of his international engagements, despite the criticism at home.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-06-24

 

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2 hours ago, webfact said:

Described as “Thailand’s salesman,” Srettha’s primary goal is to attract foreign investment. He stressed that his international engagements are crucial for fostering trade and investment opportunities.

He was going around the world with the begging cap outstretched.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

This neutrality ensures production bases and supply chains remain stable even if geopolitical tensions arise.

That may very well be the case..., however, governmental ineptitudes, like enacting laws without researching effects, and being beholden to shadowy figures who may change your policies at will, could be a factor in determining stability, neutrality alone just ain't enough.

And exactly what has he achieved, no list provided.

 

Due to the ongoing corrupt political shenanigans and the disenfranchisement of millions of voters whose party is now in opposition due to the army invented corrupt senate.

 

Many businesses are pulling out, Subaru, Suzuki not to mention over 500 Thai factory closures.

 

Living in cloud cook koo land...

Would not mind him on a Oneway ticket to the moon.

Ignorant people in every country criticize their leaders for travelling overseas too much. Yet we live in a one-world conglomeration where everything that's important has international causes & effects - economy & investments, technology & comms, security & defence, population movements, climate change and on & on.

 

If you want your country to be part of the decisions that will affect your country, then you need to accept that your country must be represented at the appropriate levels at the many many international meetings.

IMHO he wants to be in Thailand less than 180 days a year.

11 hours ago, webfact said:

This neutrality ensures production bases and supply chains remain stable even if geopolitical tensions arise.

Unlikely. It creates suspicion at best and distrust at worse.

When nations must make international commitments that align with their societal moral and ethical compass, Thailand cannot be aligned without consequences.

Cases in point:

• Thailand's comfort with Russia engaged in war crimes against Ukraine
• Thailand's support of China's discrimination against Muslims, placing whole families into detention centers and internment camps. 

Srettha has achieved nothing overseas or in Thailand.  A complete waste of space unelected by Thai people.

14 hours ago, webfact said:

and prompting him to pledge a two-month travel hiatus in March.

So nine more months of globe-trotting. Start again in May 2025.

6 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Ignorant people in every country criticize their leaders for travelling overseas too much. Yet we live in a one-world conglomeration where everything that's important has international causes & effects - economy & investments, technology & comms, security & defence, population movements, climate change and on & on.

 

If you want your country to be part of the decisions that will affect your country, then you need to accept that your country must be represented at the appropriate levels at the many many international meetings.

Whatever happened to ZOOM?

51 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Whatever happened to ZOOM?

Politicians are touchy-feely types. Zoom etc is used all the time but nothing beats pressing the flesh with friends & enemies ... if you want a deal.

Could have done all of this on Zoom, saved a fortune, avoided polluting the atmosphere leaving more time to mess up Thailand's future.