Being the two largest economies in the region, Indonesia and Thailand have been urged to further enhance their strategic cooperation because the two share a “unity of purpose”.

“Thailand and Indonesia must work together in driving our bilateral agenda to its full potential including the highest political exchanges, investment, fisheries, agro industry, tourism, education and creative economy,” Thai Ambassador to Indonesia Songphoi Sukchan said at a diplomatic reception to celebrate the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Jakarta on Tuesday evening.

Bhumibol was born on Dec. 5, 1927, and passed away on Oct. 13, 2016 after ruling Thailand for 70 years. His birthday was also declared Thailand Father’s Day.

In 2019, as Thailand assumes the ASEAN chairmanship, Indonesia will start its term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Songphoi said his country’s chairmanship would bring the theme of advancing partnerships for sustainability in all dimensions, including sustainable security, sustainable growth and development and sustainable human security.

He said the priorities included the promotion of sustainable fisheries, creating an ASEAN illegal fisheries task force and drafting ASEAN fisheries policy, as well as launching the ASEAN center on sustainable development study and dialogue.

“Thailand will work closely with Indonesia and all ASEAN members to help ASEAN become a people-centered community that leaves no one behind, and to ensure that the region will overcome challenges and take advantage of the opportunity so that our people will enjoy sustainable peace and prosperity,” he said.

Paving the way for close cooperation, he said both countries had good bilateral relationships with significant trade and investment and people to people interaction.

In 2017, bilateral trade was over US$16 billion, an 11 percent increase. Indonesia’s export to Thailand grew almost 20 percent, with more than 100 Thai companies investing in Indonesia in the last five years.

The guest of honor at the event was Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy, who was absent but represented by Education and Culture Ministry secretary-general Didik Suhardi, who said on behalf of the minister that the two countries had enjoyed solid bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1950 even though the mutual relationship dated back to the 8th century during the era of the Sriwijaya Empire.

“Indonesia and Thailand have been enjoying strong people-to people contacts that have been nurtured through our cooperation in education and cultural exchanges,” he said.

Today, Indonesians are familiar with tom yum soup and pad thai, while gado-gado and nasi goreng have become common to the Thai people.”

Through ASEAN, he said, both countries had been promoting the establishment of a peaceful region, in which countries would be able to pursue economic development and prosperity.

“Indonesia welcomes and supports Thailand’s plan to push for ASEAN connectivity to strengthen business and investments in ASEAN. This theme is indeed timely, connectivity will make ASEAN an even more attractive destination for trade and investments,” he said.

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