BANGKOK, Aug 17 – Malaysia’s ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Jojie Samuel, said he expects policies and the overarching relationship between Malaysia and Thailand to continue under new Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Jojie said this includes the implementation of joint development projects, such as the socio-economic connectivity projects in southern Thailand.
He said while political changes, such as those occurring in Thailand, are common in any functioning democracy, he hoped that the new prime minister and her Cabinet “would look at the whole bilateral relations with Malaysia”.
“I think most and all of them will definitely look at ways to enhance the bilateral relations,” Jojie told Bernama.
He also recalled on the recent meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former premier Srettha Thavisin in Kelantan and Narathiwat just a few weeks ago.
“They have given us assurance that the policies will remain the same. Projects and activities will be carried on. Let’s hope that the good relations between the two nations will continue,” Jojie said.
For the record, Malaysia is Thailand’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. Malaysia’s total trade with Thailand stood at US$24.88 billion (RM113.37 billion) in 2023.
