Malaysia Supports Thailand for Solutions to Southern Problems

(10/10/2012)

Malaysia has supported Thailand’s efforts to cope with unrest in the southern border provinces, which share borders with Malaysia. The issue was among various topics of discussion during the official visit of Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul to Malaysia on 7-8 October 2012, when he met Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman. Foreign Minister Surapong said that Prime Minister Najib had suggested that talks should be held to create better understanding between the authorities and the perpetrators of unrest. He asked the Malaysian Foreign Minister to explain the southern situation to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Thailand and Malaysia have no conflict about the situation, although some perpetrators have attempted to create the perception that the two countries have conflicts. Thailand and Malaysia also discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation in border development, including the construction of two bridges over the Golok River, linking Narathiwat province in Thailand with Malaysia. Other Issues of discussion included ways to tackle the problems of dual nationality, human trafficking, illegal labor, and border economic development. Both Thailand and Malaysia attach great importance to cooperation in developing their border areas and supporting the connection of the ASEAN region through physical, institutional, and people connectivity. Thailand has had an idea that three major rubber-producing countries, namely Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, could establish a “Rubber City,” in order to stabilize rubber prices and undertake joint research and development. Foreign Minister Surapong said that the issue had also been raised for discussion and that further talks would be held by ministers of agriculture, commerce, and industry of the three countries. Malaysia is now Thailand’s fourth-largest trading partner, while Thailand is Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner. Trade between the two countries in 2011 amounted to 24.72 billion US dollars, or 750 billion baht. Cross-border trade came to about 18.69 billion dollars, or 56 billion baht, accounting for 74 percent of Thai-Malaysian bilateral trade. In 2011, Malaysia invested about 6.14 billion baht in Thailand. It is interested in investing in the manufacturing of automotive parts and electronics, rubber processing, and oil palm production. In the same period, Thailand invested about 2.42 billion baht in Malaysia, mainly in the food industry, especially the setting up of Thai restaurants, automotive part manufacturing, and the construction industry. Malaysians are the largest group of tourists visiting Thailand. The number of Malaysian visitors to Thailand in 2011 was 2.47 million. During the same period, 1.52 Thai tourists visited Malaysia. There are currently 10,000 Thais working at Thai restaurants in Malaysia, and about 350 Thai students have received scholarships to study there.