Bangkok (VNA) – Members of the Vietnam–Thailand Friendship Association (VTFA) and the Thailand–Vietnam Friendship Association (TVFA) gathered in Bangkok on May 21 for their working session to review recent collaboration and discuss future directions to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
TVFA President Sanan Angubolkul emphasised that 2025 holds special historical significance for Vietnam–Thailand relations. He noted that numerous meaningful activities are taking place this month to commemorate the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh, a revered leader of the Vietnamese people, who played an important role in the international arena.
Sanan hailed President Ho Chi Minh as a symbol of enduring friendship between the people of Vietnam and Thailand. He shared that during Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Vietnam on May 15–16, the TVFA, in coordination with several partners, organised the Vietnam–Thailand Business Forum 2025, which was attended by the Prime Ministers of both countries and over 350 leading business executives from the two nations.
The forum underscored the essential role of the private sector in driving economic connectivity and affirmed a shared vision for advancing bilateral cooperation through the “three connections” strategy which focuses on linking supply chains, businesses and localities, and promoting green and sustainable development.
Sanan also highlighted recent people-to-people exchange activities jointly organised by the two associations, such as the friendly match between the U17 women’s football teams of Vietnam and Thailand held in Hanoi in early April.
Looking ahead, both associations agreed to co-organise a series of meaningful events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand (August 6, 1976 – 2026). Sanan expressed his confidence that these commemorative activities would provide a strong foundation for building a future of prosperity, mutual understanding, trust, and sincere friendship between the two countries.
For his part, VTFA President Nguyen Van Thanh expressed his delight at participating in a series of commemorative events held in Thailand’s Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, and Khon Kaen provinces to mark the 135th birth anniversary of the late Vietnamese leader. He emphasised that the recent elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during PM Paetongtarn’s visit to Vietnam marked a milestone in Vietnam–Thailand relations, affirming deep and wide-ranging cooperation across sectors, from politics and the economy to defence, foreign affairs, and science and technology.
Thanh noted that this upgrade reflects the natural progression of bilateral relations as they enter a new phase of development. Proud of the positive contributions made by both associations to people-to-people diplomacy, he underlined the importance of actively preparing for the 14th meeting between the VTFA and TVFA scheduled for next month in Vietnam.
The working session also included discussions between Vietnamese and Thai businesses on investment opportunities, strategic orientations, and practical measures to strengthen cooperation and realise the goals of the “three connections” strategy./.
