30 March 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia led Philippine Embassy officials in paying a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Government House on March 24.
Prime Minister Prayut welcomed the Ambassador and the members of her delegation and expressed keen interest in further promoting Philippines-Thailand relations.
Ambassador Batoon-Garcia personally handed over to Prime Minister Prayut the letter of President Benigno S. Aquino III expressing gratitude for the Thai government’s donation of 500 tons of rice and US$ 100,000 for those affected by Typhoon Hagupit/Ruby. She said that the Thai Government’s donation will contribute to the rehabilitation and recovery of typhoon-affected communities. She also took the opportunity to express appreciation for the Royal Thai Government’s support for those affected by other recent natural disasters in the Philippines.
The two officials noted that bilateral relations between the Philippines and Thailand remain strong and robust in the areas of trade, investment and tourism. They also identified areas of mutual interest and further cooperation such as agricultural development, disaster response and mitigation, and labor mobility. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the premier intergovernmental organization in the region aimed at the promotion of regional peace and security, and economic and socio-cultural development of its Member States.
Ambassador Batoon-Garcia expressed her appreciation for the cooperation and hospitality extended by the Thai Government to the Embassy and its officials. The two officials reaffirmed the friendly and active relations between Philippines and Thailand and their peoples. Ambassador Batoon-Garcia also assured the Prime Minister of the Embassy’s full cooperation in strengthening and enriching Philippines-Thailand relations. END
Ambassador Batoon-Garcia was accompanied by Vice Consul Jay Alcantara, Philippine Defense Attaché Colonel Reuben Basiao, and Philippine Agriculture Attaché Ana Abejuela. The Prime Minister was joined by Deputy Secretary-General Anuson Chinvanno, Official Spokesperson Dr. Yongyuth Mayalarp, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General on East Asian Affairs Sarun Charoensuwan and several officials from the Office of the Prime Minister. END