Brunei-Thai Relations Enhanced Says Envoy

Bandar Seri Begawan - Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister and her consort YAM Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz hosted a farewell luncheon for the outgoing Thai Ambassador Mr Thinakorn Kanasuta and wife at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong yesterday.

Mr Thinakorn Kanasuta has been Thailand's Ambassador to the sultanate since April 1999.

Meanwhile, the outgoing Thai Ambassador Mr Thinakorn Kanasuta in an exclusive interview said that business councils between Brunei and Thailand should be set up so that both nations could meet directly and explore possibilities for expansion.

The outgoing Thai Ambassador said trade continues to expand between the two nations.

Brunei exports oil export to Thailand continues to grow as the kingdom's economy picks up.

Mr Kanasuta said his country could also can export agricultural commodities and its industrial output to the sultanate.

He added that because of this trade between Brunei and Thailand business council in each other's capital should be set up for the sector to meet directly and explore possibilities for expansion of trade between the two nations.

Mr Kanasuta said relations between Brunei and Thailand has been close and the two countries belong to the same regional organisations.

This is the some factor, which keeps the relations close and friendly and in recent years has been strengthened further by the visit of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah to Thailand.

In other areas such as defence, Mr Kanasuta said following discussions, Brunei has sent officers to attend the Royal Thai Army for the first time. This has brought the two armies closer.

In education, some 30 Thais study at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). They are under the scholarship of His Majesty Sultan of Brunei.

In labour matters, some 6,000 Thai workers are in the sultanate in the construction and garment industry.

Brudirect.com