Japan confirms readiness to develop infrastructure in Thailand

BANGKOK, October 9 (TNA) - Japan has confirmed its readiness to join Thailand's basic infrastructure development, especially water management and high-speed mass rail transit systems. Visiting Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Yuichiro Hata insisted on the Japanese government's policy when paying a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Bangkok on Monday, during which he also expressed Japan’s interest in mutual tourism promotion with Thailand. Hata said, during his stay in Thailand, he will sign a letter of intent with the Ministry of Transport to support bilateral partnership in transport projects between Tokyo and Bangkok. On the occasion, Yingluck acknowledged that the Thai government has attached great importance to high-speed mass rail transit projects and will stage bidding contests for their development next year, assuring that, apart from the mass rail transit systems, Thailand will focus on human resource development, the exchange of knowledge and experiences on urban development along high-speed railways and the promotion of tourism, local cultures, as well as Thai food and other products. Both sides also expressed their satisfaction with the number of Thai visitors to Japan, which peaks this year, as Tokyo has facilitated Thai tourists’ visits to Japan by granting multiple entry visas, allowing Thai travelers to repeat their visits to Japan in three years without having to reapply for visas. The prime minister also confirmed Thailand’s readiness to welcome Japanese tourists and provide them with new services, including long-stay accommodations for the elderly. Meanwhile, Thai Industry Minister M.R. Pongvas Svasti announced that the Bangkok-based Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has agreed in principle to offer assistance to Myanmar and Thailand in their joint development on Dawei (formerly Tavoy) deep seaport and industrial estates in Myanmar. The industry minister and JETRO Bangkok chief Setsuo Iuchi met in the Thai capital late last week, during which the issues were raised. (TNA)