PUTRAJAYA — Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim convened for the 7th Annual Consultation on December 16, solidifying bilateral relations through the signing of two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
The agreements include collaboration in the rubber industry and cultural, artistic, and heritage exchanges. The meeting, marked by a formal welcome ceremony and a guard of honor, underscored a shared commitment to advancing economic, cultural, and regional cooperation.
Both leaders prioritized initiatives to bolster trade and investment, reaffirming the target of achieving $30 billion in bilateral trade by 2027. Discussions also tackled flood mitigation in border areas and ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Sadao Border Checkpoint Road and the Golok River parallel bridge, crucial for enhancing cross-border connectivity and integration.
Tourism and education were central to the agenda, with Malaysia endorsing Thailand’s “6 Countries, 1 Destination” initiative. Plans to expand vocational education opportunities for students from Thailand’s southern provinces and deepen cooperation in energy and rubber industries were also explored.
On security, Malaysia reiterated its support for peace efforts in Thailand’s southern border provinces. Both nations agreed on frameworks to combat cross-border challenges, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, and online fraud.
The summit concluded with an official luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Anwar in honor of the Thai delegation. Prime Minister Paetongtarn and her team are set to return to Thailand later today.
