Thailand offers to sell rice to Philippines

BANGKOK, October 9 (TNA) - The Philippines and Thailand are both pleased that two-way trade volume has increased by about 10 per cent over the past year, while Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has offered to sell more premium-graded Thai rice to the Philippines. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists of the information on Friday, after newly-appointed Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mary Jo A. Bernardo –Aragon Pays paid a courtesy call on the Thai premier at Bangkok's Government House earlier in the day. The deputy spokesman said that both sides also pledged to further increase trade and to eliminate trade barriers. According to the deputy spokesman, the prime minister took the opportunity to offer to sell premium-graded Thai rice to the Philippine government. The deputy spokesman revealed that the Thai premier also asked the new Philippine top envoy to help speed up the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on aviation services between Manila and Bangkok to further boost bilateral cooperation on tourism and aviation, namely increased direct flights between the two member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The deputy spokesman noted that the Thai prime minister will also raise the issue during the upcoming ASEAN Summit and releated forums late this year. Besides, Prime Minister General Prayut informed the new Philippine ambassador that the Thai government is ready to further cooperate with Manila to promote partnership for mutual prosperity of both ASEAN member countries, and that Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is scheduled to visit the Philippines in January 2016 to observe progress of a children and youth development programme under her patronage. Thailand will also, for the first time, host an academic and agricultural cooperation meeting between the two countries in the near future. (TNA)