Viet, Thai Friendship Associations - Bridge to Promote Friendship and People-to-people Contact

Cooperation brings benefits to the people of both countries

Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Van Thanh, former member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, and Chairman of the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association said that the conference was held after the Covid-19 pandemic, when the global, regional and the two countries' economy are recovering and developing.

This is an opportunity for the two Associations to evaluate the achieved results, draw lessons, exchange and agree on the implementation of work in the remaining months of 2023 and 2024.

The 12th Conference between the Executive Committee of the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association and the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association. (Photo: Nguyen Hai)

Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Trade Council of Thailand and chairman of the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association said the long cooperation tradition is the foundation for the two Associations to continue to develop sustainable relations, promote practical cooperation contents that are beneficial for the people and the country such as people-to-people exchanges, education, social issues, notably supporting start-up projects.

He hoped that the two Associations would discuss and draw up specific plans for cooperation issues in the near future.

"The Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association and the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association will promote issues of interest to both sides. For Thailand, we are interested in areas such as real estate investment, tourism, and food," said Sanan.

The Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association delegation attended the Conference. (Photo: Nguyen Hai)

Many proposals to promote educational and local cooperation

At the Conference, delegates discussed the two Associations' joint report in the spirit of frankness, inquiry, and connection for mutual development. Many proposals were made to promote cultural, educational, and local cooperation.

Tran Viet, Chairman of the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association in Tuyen Quang, asked the two countries' Central Association to create conditions for Tuyen Quang's Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association and Nakhon Phanom's Thai-Vietnamese Association to establish twinning and cooperation.

Many representatives of Thai businesses attended the Conference as delegates of the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association. (Photo: Nguyen Hai)

Tran Thi Mai, President of the Thua Thien Hue Union of Friendship Organizations and standing Member of the Central Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association said that later this year, the Association would coordinate with the Central Association to organize a scientific conference with the theme "Strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand on green economic development and education and training" and invited the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association to attend.

Montri Suwanposri, General Director of CP Vietnam Livestock Joint Stock Company said that he would continue to accompany the two countries' Friendship Associations in supporting scholarships for students in difficult circumstances to study at Mechai Bamboo School following the community education model, learning while working.

Previously, CP Group sponsored three students in difficult circumstances from Thua Thien Hue (in 2018) and two from Lam Dong (in 2023) to study in Thailand under this model. After studying, students can confidently study and communicate in Thai language.

A representative of TICA (Thailand International Cooperation Agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) said TICA has many cooperation programs with Vietnam, including education such as providing scholarships, opening training classes, and internships, bringing Thai experts and volunteers to share knowledge, experience, support tools and equipment according to the King of Thailand's sufficiency economy theory.

From 1999-2022, about 3,000 Vietnamese students have received support from TICA. TICA's representative proposed that the two Associations continue to coordinate with TICA in continuing to develop these programs.

Speaking at the conference, Le Trung Hieu, Deputy Head of the Asia-Africa Department (Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations) said that the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations would continue to coordinate with the local unions of friendship organizations to further promote their experience and capabilities in connecting friendship, thereby, contributing to the development of solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the Vietnamese people and the people of other countries, particularly the Thai people.

Chairman of the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association Nguyen Van Thanh stated that the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association is ready to coordinate with the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association to implement diverse activities in the near future. With the function and mission of performing as a bridge of friendship, the Association will work harder to contribute to strengthening the friendship between the two countries. At the same time, it will pay more attention to cooperation between potential businesses of the two countries, especially young businesses and startups.

"If the motto of Vietnamese and Thai businesses is "1 + 1 = unlimited opportunities", then the two Associations will play their role as the "plus," which means connecting, well," said Nguyen Van Thanh.

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