Amicable ties emphasised as Philippines President Wraps Up Southeast Asia Trip
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on March 21, 2017
Here's my short Channel NewsAsia report on the visit by Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte at Bangkok's Government House today.
TRANSCRIPT
Thailand is the final destination of Philipines president Rodrigo Duterte's tour of Southeast Asia, as he arrived at Government House in Bangkok and is able finally make good on his promise to meet every leader in the region ever since he took office 8 months ago.
He was greeted by Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha with military honors, before a delegation of both countries signed three MOUs to cooperate on a broad range of issues including science, technology, tourism and agriculture.
Both Mr. Prayuth and Mr. Duterte have emphasised the bilateral ties between the two countries and the pledge to continue with that going ahead.
[Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines]
"With formal diplomatic relations for 67 years, we have [a] proven record of collaboration. We can and should rightfully strive to achieve more. As countries facing similar challenges, and as brothers in ASEAN, we have a joint stake in keeping our relations always vibrant"
[Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of Thailand]
"And finally, as Thai-Philipino relations are entering the seventh decade, me and the president have ensured close cooperations to move forward our progress and prosperity of both our countries, its people, ASEAN and the region as a whole. Thank you."
Mr. Duterte will wrap up his Southeast Asia Tour on Wednesday as he is meeting with Thai business and with members of the local Philipino community, of which an estimated 16,000 people are living in Thailand.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok