Newly appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh, Thitiporn Chirasawadi, paid her first courtesy call to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Sunday.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed ways to strengthen further bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade and investment, maritime connectivity, prevention of online scams, multilateral engagement, and people-to-people exchanges.
Yunus recalled his long-standing relationship with Thailand and expressed his hope that the ties between the two nations would deepen during the Ambassador’s tenure.
The Chief Adviser highlighted the interim government’s efforts to secure Bangladesh’s membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional bloc that has become a key global economic force.
He expressed optimism that Thailand would support Bangladesh’s bid. In this context, Bangladesh has already proposed becoming a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.
“We take it very seriously. It will connect South Asia with Southeast Asia,” Professor Yunus remarked, referring to Bangladesh’s ASEAN membership aspirations.
The Thai ambassador said Bangkok was keen to begin negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, which she noted would boost Thai investment in Bangladesh and expand trade between the two countries.
Chirasawadi also said that both nations are planning to launch a direct shipping route between Thailand’s Ranong Port and Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port.
The Ambassador also mentioned the upcoming launch of a direct shipping route between Thailand’s Ranong Port and Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port.
The service is expected to begin in March, following official talks between shipping authorities of both countries scheduled for February.
In addition, Yunus highlighted the growing number of Bangladeshis traveling to Thailand for medical treatment, business, education, and tourism, urging the issuance of more visas to meet the demand.
SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed was also present at the meeting.
