Exclusive interview with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

Q: We just learned that you are going to attend the China-ASEAN expo in China’s Nan Ning next Monday. You are supposed to meet some top Chinese leaders there. What do prospect the future of Thai-Chinese relations?

A: I am looking forward to joining the China-ASEAN expo, because I heard this that this expo will gather all the Thai, Chinese and ASEAN investors to hold exhibitions there. I think it’s a great opportunity. Especially, this year is a very special year. It’s the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN. As Thailand is the country coordinator of the relationship between ASEAN and China. So we will work with our hard effort to build the relationship between China and ASEAN. I am looking forward to having the bilateral meeting with Premier Li Keqiang as well.

Q: As country coordinator between ASEAN and China, Thailand has played a very important role in promoting relations between the two sides. What is your expectation for the relations between ASEAN and China, and for the relations between the two sides after the 2015 integration of the ASEAN?

A: As coordinator between ASEAN and China, we expect that we would play the role of strengthening the strategic partnership between ASEAN and China on the principle of trust and on the principle of peace and prosperity of the two sides. Now the trade volume between China and ASEAN stands at 300 billion U.S. dollars. We are looking forward that on the year of 2015, it will be 500 billion U.S dollars. And also, we would like to see people to people connected together. We would like to see all the tourists, especially Chinese tourists, to visit ASEAN.

Q:More than 3 million Chinese tourists arrive in Thailand every year. What is your expectation for the tourism exchanges between the two countries? What will be your policy towards tourism and Chinese tourism?

A: First of all, I would like to thank all the Chinese tourists to Thailand. All Thai people welcome Chinese people coming to Thailand because we are close to each other for a long time. This is the one area that we are willing to have the people-people connection.

Thailand boasts a lot of natural and cultural heritages. We are willing to promote tourism exchanges between the two countries. I also would like to thank the movie “Lost in Thailand”, which is one of the media to connect the two peoples together. So we would like to see something nice again. Welcome to Thailand anytime.

Q: Chinese investment in Thailand has been growing very fast over the recent years. What is your expectation for the economic cooperation between the two countries?

A: First of all, I would like to say that we admire China’s economic growth and its policies. So I think Thailand is willing to work with China to increase trade volume, investment and the number of inbound Chinese tourists. As strategic partners, we set the target to encourage each other to promote trade and investment. Thailand also has the policy to welcome Chinese investors, especially in the area of infrastructure. Thailand will be spending about 66 billion U.S. dollars in infrastructure. Especially, we will need the technology that China has, like high speed train. And we know that the high-speed railway connecting Thailand and China will run from Thailand through Laos to China. So it will be an important part of Chinese investment in Thailand.

Another investment opportunity for China is in the water management system. China also has the experience in this area. In addition, we also have a wide range of investment opportunities in the area of food processing. Thailand has the package to increase and promote investment. For example, we have reduced the corporate tax from 30% down to 20%, among other promotions to attract investors, and we are also trying to improve in the ease of doing business in Thailand.

Q: What do you want to say to Chinese investors?

A: I want to say please consider Thailand as your partner to work in ASEAN. Thailand is the at the center of the strategic location in ASEAN, our investment in infrastructure will be aimed to build connection through the border with our neighboring ASEAN countries.

Q: As the first female prime minister of Thailand, you have a lot of fans in China. How can you maintain beauty and youth amid tight working schedules?

A: I just keep an eye on my health and enjoy my work.