Thai PM proposes partnership for joint development at BRICS

XIAMEN, CHINA, September 5 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has raised four proposals for the joint development of emerging markets and developing countries during this week's summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) in China, before returning to Bangkok on Tuesday evening. Delivering a speech at the Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue (EMDCD) during the 9th BRICS Summit in coastal Xiamen City of China's Fujian Province on Tuesday morning (local time), the prime minister first thanked China for inviting Thailand to join the BRICS Summit 2017, showing Beijing's constructive roles to bridge regional connectivity. The Thai prime minister then raised four proposals for comprehensive partnership among emerging markets and developing countries on the sustainable basis. The first proposal is strengthening domestic affairs and growing along with neighboring countries based on the "Thailand+1" approach, under which the Sufficiency Economy Principle advised by Thailand's late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been adopted for national development in parallel with upgrading basic infrastructure systems and national reforms to drive the nation forward for public interest. The second proposal is that Thailand becomes ready for being a gateway for connectivity of neighboring countries in all blocs, as the Kingdom is situated in the center of the region and has paid attention to keeping basic infrastructure developed and integrated with the neighbors, in order to promote regional connectivity and partnership in all dimensions for mutual benefits. The third and the last proposals include sustainable growth through the steady economic development, along with the environmental protection, and cooperation in various channels for further development, with differences in social and economic fundamentals of each country, especially recipients of assistance, being taken into consideration. The Thai leader expressed his hope that BRICS will collaborate to support the roles and joint development of the emerging markets and developing countries with the four Thai proposals being taking into account for practical practices. The Thai prime minister later held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin before returning to Bangkok on Tuesday evening, ending his latest two-day trip to China, scheduled for September 4-5. (TNA)