Bangkok: WEF executives have praised Thailand's role on the international stage, recognizing Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra as an influential leader of the new generation and expressing support for collaboration in AI and food technology with the Thai government.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra met with Mr. Mirek Du‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡ek, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for being named one of WEF's Young Global Leaders for 2025, considering it a significant honor. He also welcomed the invitation to participate in the 2026 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting it as a crucial platform to communicate the Thai government's policies to a global audience.
The WEF Managing Director congratulated the Prime Minister on his upcoming attendance at the Davos meeting and lauded Thailand's active presence on the international front. He noted the Prime Minister's utilization of soft power to drive economic progress and explore opportunities for the nation and its people.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister inquired about the progress of establishing the C4IR (Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution) in Thailand. The WEF Managing Director indicated that feasibility studies are currently underway with Thai government agencies, particularly those involved in technology and agriculture. The WEF has experience in setting up similar centers in various countries, aiming to foster innovation through public-private partnerships. In Thailand, initial discussions have focused on smart agricultural technology and clean energy, with potential expansion into areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and food technology, aligning with the government's policy.
Both parties also exchanged views on the global economic landscape, particularly the impact of US tax policy on Southeast Asia. The Prime Minister mentioned his discussions with ASEAN leaders and the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia as platforms for addressing regional economic challenges. Despite the rapidly changing global context and uncertainties, he affirmed Thailand's commitment to fostering cooperation with allies to devise shared strategies for economic recovery.
Concluding the meeting, the WEF Managing Director expressed satisfaction with the dialogue and reiterated WEF's readiness to assist the Thai government with knowledge, partner networks, and preparations for the upcoming Davos meeting. He emphasized that leadership engaging in government, business, and society would amplify Thailand's influence on the world stage.