Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat outlined plans to expand bilateral ties beyond tourism and culture into investment, industrial cooperation and innovation during a May 19 interview in Seoul.
Sangrat said Thailand and Korea have been negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement for two years, with expectations to sign it this year. He cited the Thai prime minister’s goal of doubling bilateral trade from around $15 billion to $30 billion.
He added that the two sides are preparing a memorandum of understanding for Korea’s first industrial park in Thailand’s eastern seaboard region. The Thai Embassy plans to launch the Seoul Thailand Startup and Innovation Space to connect startups and investors from both countries.
The annual Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival, set for June 20 and 21 at Cheonggye Plaza, will highlight innovation and entrepreneurship this year. As chair of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul, Sangrat noted ongoing visits to Korean firms including a planned trip to the Lotte R&D center later this month.
