Bangkok: Thai Prime Minister Sihasak Srisuk revealed that Japanese investors are concerned about the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border, urging them to quickly explain the situation and invite investment in new industrial sectors. He also requested assistance in developing human resources with skills up-to-date with innovation.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, met and held discussions with a group of Japanese academics specializing in Southeast Asia and Thailand, as well as with the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) during his visit to Japan.
Mr. Sihasak revealed that he had explained to Japanese academics and businesspeople the situation of the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which is causing unease among investors who are uncertain about its direction. These investors are affected by the conflict. He noted that while Japanese investment in Thailand has historically been the largest, it has decreased recently. He therefore wants to see investment in new industries focusing on innovation and high technology, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. He also wants to see Japanese cooperation in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, as Japan has mechanisms to help develop a carbon credit market in Thailand. At the same time, he wants Japan to support Thailand's economic transition to a digital and green economy that emphasizes innovation. Another area where Japan can greatly assist Thailand is in developing human resources with up-to-date skills to support new investments, especially through technology transfer.