Thai prime minister meets Colombian president

MANILA, Nov 18 (TNA) -- Thailand and Colombia agree to boost cooperation and expect to be each other's regional gateways. The stances happened when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had a bilateral talk with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos during their visit to Manila to attend the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting. Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said both leaders agreed to expand cooperation comprehensively and Thailand was ready to promote trade and investment with Colombia especially in the fields of tourism, energy and natural resources. Tourism cooperation could be the promotion of tourist destinations in groups of countries and Colombia praised Thailand for its successful tourism, Maj Gen Werachon said. Gen Prayut also invited representatives of Colombia's private sector to visit Thailand and consider the establishment of a Thai-Colombian business council and the exchange of technical information on trade agreements. Thailand viewed Colombia as its gateway to Latin America while Colombia considered Thailand as its gateway to Southeast Asia, Maj Gen Werachon said. As for security cooperation, the deputy government spokesman said there would be an exchange program by Thai and Colombian national defence institutes, cooperation between their naval forces and joint efforts to tackle narcotics. (TNA)