Tourists take photos at the Grand Palace scenic spot in Bangkok, Thailand, June 15, 2023. Thailand has approved a temporary visa waiver for visitors from China and Kazakhstan during the year-end high season in support of its vital tourism industry.(Photo: Xinhua)

Thai government said it is willing to promote early opening and operation of railways connecting with China, and welcome Chinese high-tech enterprises to invest in Thailand.

The remarks were made when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara in Beijing on Wednesday, one day ahead of the eighth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said Thailand will actively promote the early opening of the Thailand-China and Thailand-Laos-China railways, and welcome Chinese high-tech enterprises to invest in Thailand.

Thailand hopes there are more convenient personnel exchanges between Thailand and China, and welcomes more Chinese tourists to the country.

Meanwhile, Thailand will strengthen security measures and continue to crack down on transnational crimes including telecom fraud, he noted.

Wang said the two sides should trust each other politically, intensify exchanges at all levels, strengthen all-round cooperation, and accelerate the connection of China-Laos-Thailand.

The two sides should deepen cooperation in connectivity, trade, tourism and other fields, maintain a stable and smooth production and supply chain system, and jointly fight against the transnational crimes such as gambling and telecom fraud and human trafficking to further promote the bilateral relations, said Wang.

In an interview with the Xinhua News Agency in October, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said Thailand would enhance the integration of its domestic railways and the China-Laos Railway, a flagship BRI project in the region.

During an earlier trip to Thailand's northeastern province of Nong Khai bordering Laos to inspect the China-Laos-Thailand railway connection, Srettha said Nong Khai's status as a transport hub could bolster local development.

While the construction of the China-Thailand railway is underway, Thailand plans to upgrade existing railway lines and improve the link with Thailand's largest Laem Chabang Port to boost connectivity, he said.

To attract more Chinese visitors, Thailand has announced its decision to allow visa-free entry for Chinese tourists from September 25 until the end of February 2024, in alignment with the Prime Minister's commitment to grow Thailand's economy through developing tourism.

China-Thailand bilateral trade volume reached $135 billion in 2022, with China now ranking as Thailand's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years, according to data from Chinese Embassy in Thailand.

Global Times