MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has extended an invitation to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for an official visit to the Philippines, as announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday. The invitation was conveyed during a meeting between DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, held in Bangkok.
According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Manalo expressed optimism about the bilateral relationship between the two nations following his meeting with Foreign Minister Maris. “I had a fruitful meeting with Foreign Minister Maris and I look forward to more opportunities to exchange views with him on how we can strengthen and elevate our bilateral relationship, as well as our cooperation in addressing various regional and international challenges,” Manalo stated in a press release issued after the 6th Philippine-Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting.
The invitation comes on the heels of a recent encounter betwe
en President Marcos and Prime Minister Paetongtarn during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings in Laos. At 37 years old, Paetongtarn is the youngest Thai prime minister and serves as the head of government in Asia. Since assuming office on August 16, she has articulated a vision of integrating security cooperation within the ASEAN region and internationally to promote peace, stability, and progress for Thailand and its neighbors.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s foreign policy emphasizes a strategic approach to geopolitical challenges, aiming to transform them into opportunities that benefit Thailand. Her government seeks to collaborate with neighboring countries to combat transnational crimes, such as online fraud and phone scams. During their meeting, Secretary Manalo and Foreign Minister Maris explored avenues for strengthening cooperation between Manila and Bangkok in these areas and discussed developments in regions like the South China Sea, Myanmar, and the Middle
East.