Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand and Vietnam have an excellent relationship which is gradually becoming one of the most important strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia, said Thai scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Bangkok ahead of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Vietnam from May 15 to 16, Kavi affirmed that the visit is of significance as it takes place at a time when the international order is being affected by increasing geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts.
According to him, both countries can work closely together to promote multilateral trade and enhance good rules-based practices covering the economic, political, security, and socio-cultural fields.
Thailand and Vietnam are two major trade partners, both bilaterally and within ASEAN, and they are working to raise bilateral trade from 20 billion USD to 25 billion USD per year.
Kavi also said the two countries, as well as other ASEAN members, are accelerating efforts to turn ASEAN into a regional bloc that promotes peace and stability, not only in the region but also in the world that is currently facing a future with uncertainties.
Mentioning the Thai Cabinet's recent approval of 30 projects worth 16.4 billion THB (498 million USD) in the Northeast (Isaan) region, which is home to a large Vietnamese-Thai community, he said that these investments will have long-term positive impacts on cross-border trade and promote connectivity between the two countries.
The scholar held that both Thailand and Vietnam are among the strongest advocates for ASEAN's centrality and solidarity, especially in trade negotiations.
One of the agendas is to ensure that ASEAN is a driving force in multilateral trade and the international rules-based order. This is a very important point in the context of ASEAN subject to the current tariffs, he went on, adding both countries strongly support the call by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, that is ASEAN must have a common position in tariff negotiations with the US.
Kavi emphasised that Thailand and Vietnam enjoy a dynamic bilateral trade relationship, and they are also the region's two largest exporters to Europe. Therefore, the two countries need to diversify their investment and trade portfolios while continuing to invest and strengthen relations in the digital economy.
Vietnam's determination to strengthen ties with other trading partners such as the European Union (EU) and Japan shows its long-term vision in the face of the rise of protectionist policies and higher tariffs, he said.
Kavi suggested that within the framework of ASEAN, Thailand and Vietnam should consult each other on the regional economic and political situation because these two issues are increasingly linked to each other./.
