Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah sharing a light moment with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during a dinner reception at Baitur Rahmah, Istana Nurul Iman. - BB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): The longstanding relations shared by Brunei Darussalam and Thailand, through excellent friendship and cooperation, will ensure resilience in an era of disruptions and uncertainty, said His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
The Sultan said this in a decree during a dinner reception in honour of the official visit of Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin to the Sultanate at Baitur Rahmah, Istana Nurul Iman on Tuesday (Oct 10)
“Brunei and Thailand have always consulted each other and worked together in Asean as well as other regional and international forums,” said the monarch.
“It is becoming more important for us to protect our shared regional interests in an increasingly complex geopolitical world, impacted by major power rivalries.”
His Majesty also extended appreciation to Thailand for its “constant readiness to supply our food requirements, especially rice”, adding that “strengthening our trade linkages in other areas, including energy, will ensure mutual benefit to our countries”.
The monarch touched on the resumption of direct flights between the two countries, which has “made it easier for our peoples to travel, as well as facilitate the movement of goods and services” as well as “the contributions of Thai nationals to our development”.
His Majesty also congratulated Srettha on his appointment as the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand and expressed confidence that “under your leadership, Thailand will continue to make great strides in becoming a developed nation under Thailand Vision 2037”.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Thailand in a speech, highlighted the friendly and cordial relations between the two countries.
“The friendship between the royal families of our two countries has been a key pillar of our relations. And our peoples have goodwill towards each other,” he said.
The prime minister also sees Faiq Jefri Bolkiah playing for Thailand’s Ratchaburi Football Club as a symbol of the close ties between Brunei and Thailand.
Srettha also noted the meeting between the two leaders earlier yesterday and expressed admiration for His Majesty’s “wisdom and experience as the most senior leader in Asean the world’s longest reigning monarch”.
“I am confident that the cooperation between Thailand and Brunei will be further enhanced, especially as our two countries will celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.”
The Prime Minister of Thailand also congratulated on behalf of his government and people on the upcoming union between His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah Adam, adding that “His Royal Highness is famous in Thailand and very popular”.
Srettha and his delegation are in the Sultanate for a two-day official visit
