Singapore, Thailand agree on exchanging intelligence

BANGKOK, May 31 (TNA) - Singapore and Thailand, both member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have agreeed on exchanging information on terrorism. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists that the agreement was reached at a meeting between Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is paying a visit to Thailand during May 29-31, and Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha at Bangkok's Government House on May 30. Hailing warm relations between the two countries, the deputy spokesman quoted the Thai prime minister as telling the visiting Singapore deputy prime minister, who is also the island state's Co-ordinating Minister for National Security and Minister-in-Charge of the Civil Service, that the two ASEAN fellow countries are scheduled to sign an agreement during a meeting of the IMBX Ministerial Forum on ICT in Singapore on May 31, aimed to promote bilateral security cooperation on cyber, covering the prevention of security threats through cyber and the dissemination of extremist ideas through the Internet and social media. The deputy spokesman said that both leaders also exchanged ideas on regional security, during which the Thai prime minister opined that terrorism has resulted from the poverty problem, social disparity and differences in natural resources; so, solutions to terrorism are linked to solutions to the problems. According to the deputy spokesman, the Thai prime minister praised Singapore's world-classed education standards and expressed his intention that Thailand could learn from Singapore's experiences in the educational development, while extending his thanks to the Singapore government for understanding the situation in Thailand, in which the 2nd step of national reforms is being implemented to lay a foundation for sustainable democracy and national stability, while also expressing his hope for Singapore's continual support. In return, the deputy spokesman stated, the visiting Singapore deputy prime minister stressed on close relations between his island state and Thailand in all dimensions and levels and expressed his pleasure that the Thai prime minister has accepted an invitation of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) to deliver a speech at the Shangri-la Dialogue 15th Asia Security Summit, to be held in Singapore on June 3, 2016. (TNA)