Thai PM expects warm ties with Trump administration

Thailand’s Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on November 15 congratulated US president-elect Donald J. Trump and his running mate Governor Mike Pence for their success in the election.

Thailand’s Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand’s Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on November 15 congratulated US president-elect Donald J. Trump and his running mate Governor Mike Pence for their success in last week’s presidential election.

In a statement published by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Prayut said he truly believed that the relationship between Thailand and the US will be strengthened under a new US leadership. 

“Your victory is remarkable and clear evidence that the American people have placed their trust and confidence in you to lead the country forward”, he said. 

Prime Minister Prayut said Thailand and the US share a long history of friendship and cordial relations stretching back 183 years and their bilateral ties have been preserved and propelled by mutual interests in economic, security, social and regional cooperation. 

He recalled that Thailand is the first ally of the US in Asia and “our alliance has formed a bedrock of peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific”. 

The Thai leader also looked forward to working closely with the US president-elect “to reinvigorate” the mutually beneficial relationship between two countries and peoples, and advance the strategic partnership between ASEAN and the US. 

This was the second official statement of the Thai Government relating to the US president election on November 8. Last week, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a congratulatory message following Trump’s election as the 45th President of the US. 

After the victory of Trump, many analysts anticipated a dramatic change in the US foreign policy with Washington's focusing on its own interests at home. 

Despite concerns about a potential US shift, Thai government officials as well as scholars expected good opportunities to work with the Trump administration thanks to historic ties and economic cooperation, despite an apparent decline in relations since the 2014 coup by the ruling junta.-VNA

VNA