MFA Press Statement: Official Visit by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Her Excellency Yingluck Shinawatra, 8 December 2011

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Her Excellency Yingluck Shinawatra, who is in Singapore on an official visit, called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam on 8 December 2011. During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed the excellent state of bilateral relations and discussed the close cooperation between Singapore and Thailand in ASEAN and other international fora.

Prime Minister Yingluck also had a separate meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Both Prime Ministers noted the growing exchanges between the governments, businesses and peoples from the two countries and agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Yingluck also reaffirmed the importance of institutional linkages between the two countries such as the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) and the Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP). These linkages have helped strengthen the relationship between Thailand and Singapore. The two leaders also had a good exchange of views on regional and international developments, in particular how both countries can work together to strengthen ASEAN and achieve the common goal of establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015.

Prime Minister Lee expressed confidence in the ability and resolve of the Thai Government and people to overcome the flood crisis. Prime Minister Yingluck conveyed the Thai Government's appreciation to the Singapore Government for its contribution of over S$1.33 million worth of humanitarian assistance during the recent floods in Thailand.

Earlier in the afternoon, Prime Minister Yingluck visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens where an orchid was named in her honour. Prime Minister Lee hosted Prime Minister Yingluck to an official dinner before her return to Bangkok tonight.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 DECEMBER 2011