BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (pic) posted on social media a brief video of the welcoming ceremony for his visiting Thai counterpart, Srettha Thavisin, on Thursday (Oct 12).
Lee’s Instagram reel is accompanied by a track from “Good Time”, a Thai love song by the young duo, Bright Vachirawit and Thanaerng Kanyawee.
The video shows the moments when Lee greeted Srettha upon the Thai leader’s arrival at the Istana, Singapore’s presidential office where state guests are received, and during their delegation meeting and a luncheon hosted in Srettha’s honour.
In his Instagram post on Srettha’s first official visit to Singapore as prime minister, Lee wrote: “I look forward to working closely with PM Srettha for the benefit of the region and our peoples.”
He said Singapore and Thailand are close partners in Asean. “Our economic and business links are growing, and we are cooperating in emerging areas such as the digital economy, carbon credits, and renewable energy,” his post read.
The Singaporean prime minister also said that the two countries share close people-to-people ties.
“Partnerships between our educational institutions are growing and more young Singaporeans visit Thailand for internships. Singaporeans also enjoy visiting Thailand for the scenery, culture, food and shopping, just as Thais like to come to Singapore too,” he wrote.
Lee noted that Thailand’s strong support for the Singapore Armed Forces’ training in the kingdom for over 40 years “has also deepened our defence relationship”.
His message and its accompanying Instagram reel were posted shortly after Srettha completed his Singapore visit, which was the last leg of his five-day trip that also took the Thai leader to Hong Kong, Brunei, and Malaysia.
Many followers of Lee’s Instagram account praised the use of the Thai song “Good Time” in the accompanying video.
A section of the lyrics used in the Instagram reel can be translated as:
“You make the journey along the way the most beautiful.
I am lucky to have you on this road with me.
No matter how far we have to go.
A hundred or thousand miles away.
The horizon we aim for could be reached someday.”
When he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Thailand last November, Lee had uploaded photos on his social media account of the “Welcome to Thailand” dish served to world leaders at a gala dinner and of Thai cultural performances.
