Japan eyes mega-investment projects in Thailand

BANGKOK, October 2 (TNA) - Japan is keen to invest in mega-projects with Thailand, namely infrastructure, water management, satellite and even the Dawei special economic zone in Myanmar. Thai Government Spokesman Dr. Yongyuth Mayalarp told journalists on Thursday afternoon that Japan expressed the stance during a meeting between visiting Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Minoru Kiuchi and Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is also Chief of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), at Bangkok's Government House earlier in the day, in which Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Shigekazu Sato also participated. Dr. Yongyuth said that the visiting Japanese vice minister, who is the Thai prime minister's first official guest after he took office recently, proposed a tripartite meeting between Thailand, Myanmar and Japan to consider the joint investment plans. The spokesman revealed that the prime minister persuaded Japan to also invest in Thailand's border areas and at locations outside industrial zones in 18 Thai provinces. According to the spokesman, the visiting Japanese vice minister also extended a congratulation letter of the Japanese government to the Thai premier and invited him to pay an official visit to Japan. In response, the spokesman stated, the Thai prime minister showed his gratitude towards his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe for honoring his government and Thailand, while the schedule of his visit to Japan will be later discussed. On the occasion, the prime minister also explained Thailand's situation, while the Japanese side showed understanding and asked Thailand to protect Japanese investors and relieve regulations on Japanese food exports to the Thai economy. (TNA)