(17/04/2013)
His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain is
scheduled to pay an official visit to Thailand on 18-20 April 2013.The visit is at the invitation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her official visit to Bahrain in May 2012.
Prime Minister Yingluck will have an audience with the King of Bahrain to discuss ways of promoting bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, food and energy security, and education.
The discussion is also expected to include Thai-Bahraini cooperation under various multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations, the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Another important issue to be raised for discussion involves the development of stronger links between Southeast Asia and the Gulf region, especially through closer cooperation between ASEAN and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. On this occasion, Prime Minister Yingluck will also host an official banquet in honor of the King of Bahrain.
Thailand and Bahrain established diplomatic relations on 17 January 1977. Since then, the two kingdoms have worked closely together to boost close and cordial relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited this official visit of the King of Bahrain as a testament to the longstanding and close friendship between the two nations. It also reflects the shared aspirations to enhance further these strong bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest.
Both countries have shared the view that bilateral cooperation in the area of health tourism should be intensified. Thailand’s healthcare service has attracted many patients from Bahrain and other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The Thai government recently announced that visitors from six Gulf Cooperation Council countries seeking medical services in Thailand would be granted a 90-day visa on entry. The visa extension from 30 days to 90 days, effective on 4 January 2013, will be granted to nationals of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Tourism Authority of Thailand regards the Gulf Cooperation Council as a growing market for Thailand.
Trade between Thailand and Bahrain in 2012 amounted to 429 million US dollars, an increase of 44 per cent over the previous year. Apart from rice, Thailand exports automobiles and automotive parts, jewelry, and frozen chicken to Bahrain. Imports from Bahrain include oil and steel.
Bahrain earlier proposed to cooperate with Thailand in establishing a distribution center to deliver Thai products to the Middle Eastern region. The Thai private sector also showed its interest in participating in construction projects in Bahrain, especially in architecture services and interior design.
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