DUTERTE IN THAILAND. President Rodrigo Duterte is introduced to government officials of Thailand including Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and Minister of Justice Suwaphan Tanyuvardhan upon his arrival at the Royal Thai Airforce, Military Air Terminal in Bangkok, Thailand on March 20, 2017. Also in the photo is Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go. (Robinson Niñal Jr./Presidential Photo)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Philippines is expected to sign at least three bilateral agreements during the official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Thailand.
The bilateral agreements involve agriculture, tourism and science and technology.
Duterte arrives in Bangkok on March 20, immediately after a two-day stay in neighboring Myanmar, to start the official engagement with the Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha on March 21. He will meet with the Filipino community on March 22.
Part of the agenda of the President’s visit is a meeting also on March 22 with the Thai business representatives from the Thai Chamber of Industry, Thai Chamber of Commerce, and the banking sector to inform them about the Duterte administration’s plans and programs to address the economic interests of both countries and why the Philippines is a good place for investment.
In the Philippines, the major investments of Thailand include construction materials, agro-processing, and energy.
The close ties between the two countries were first established during the reign of the former King, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016). Both countries were co-founders of the ASEAN, and the Philippines was able to formalize diplomatic relations with Thailand on June 14, 1949 in Washington DC.
The long history of relations between the Philippines and Thailand may be traced back to the early 1960s when a number of Thai nationals went to the Philippines to study in schools and universities.
“We have also established the mechanism of what we call the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation. We are hoping that this year, we can resume the holding of the 6th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation. This is where all areas of cooperation will be discussed by the two governments,” said Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon in a press release from Malacañang.
Both countries have established areas of cooperation involving security, political, economic, trade, educational, and socio-cultural matters.
“We also cooperate very closely for instance, in the climate change discussions; in the management of disasters, for which the Philippines is always exposed to natural disasters,” Aragon said.
Aragon said Duterte’s role is important in increasing intra-ASEAN relationship.
“We would like to have a peaceful resolution for disputes through a code of conduct,” Aragon said, when asked to comment on Duterte’s foreign policy with China. “We all would like to live in peace, because it is only through peace that we can benefit economically. We need peace and stability so we can economically move forward,” she added.
More than 14,000 Filipinos, mostly professionals, are currently working in the Kingdom of Thailand. Aragon said “over half of this (number) are Filipino teachers in the English language.”
About 2,600 Filipinos of the 3,600 registered last year voted Duterte. The ambassador said that the Filipinos in Thailand are very supportive of the President’s anti-drug campaign.
More than 1,600 Filipinos have expressed interest by registering for the President’s meeting with the Filipino community on Wednesday evening. (davaotoday.com)
