Vice President Vincent C. Siew on the morning of June 27 at the Presidential Building met with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr. Krasae Chanawongse. Dr. Krasae has made a special trip to Taiwan at the invitation of National Taiwan University to deliver a speech. The vice president extended a warm welcome and appreciation to Dr. Krasae.
Vice President Siew said that Dr. Krasae has served in a number of important posts in Thai governments over the years, and he is presently a Member of Parliament. Dr. Krasae is especially interested in educational development in Thailand, and he is a widely respected politician.
The vice president said he is especially pleased to have the opportunity to again meet with a close friend. Vice President Siew said that after he left office in 2000 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Thailand's Rangsit University. He thanked Dr. Krasae for his assistance in making it possible for him to personally accept the honor in Bangkok in 2001.
Vice President Siew said that while the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Thailand do not have official diplomatic ties, the two sides have close relations in many areas, including economy, trade, investment and labor services. While a number of issues have arisen with regards to various areas of the relationship, the vice president said he is confident that efforts made by Thailand Trade and Economic Office Executive Director Mrs. Arbhorn Manasvanich will help to generate breakthroughs and resolve the problems.
Dr. Krasae said that the honorary doctorate was earned by Vice President Siew and he is pleased to have such an outstanding alumnus from Rangsit University. In addition, Dr. Krasae said the people of northeastern Thailand are hardworking. He said many are able to speak Thai, Khmer and Lao. In addition, the area features a highway that connects Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. He said he hopes Taiwan companies will invest in the region. Dr. Krasae added that the two countries can further interact via academic and private institutions, and that Taiwan can take advantage of such avenues to strengthen its relations with ASEAN member nations.
Vice President Siew agreed with Dr. Krasae's suggestions, saying that Taiwan should adopt concrete measures to strengthen interaction between the private sectors of the two countries. He noted that Thailand offers many investment opportunities, and he is confident that Taiwan's investment in Thailand will gradually increase in the future.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Krasae was accompanied to the Presidential Building in the morning to meet with Vice President Siew by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Ching-shan Hou and Thailand Trade and Economic Office Executive Director Mrs. Arbhorn Manasvanich.