KUALA LUMPUR Bernama): Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will begin a two-day working visit to Malaysia on Sunday (Sept 6), with both countries set to review bilateral relations and explore ways to further strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, border connectivity, agriculture and developments in southern Thailand.
Sihasak, accompanied by senior officials of the Royal Thai Government, is in Malaysia from Sept 6 to 7, following Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s official visit to Malaysia on July 9 and 10, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
"The visit forms part of the regular exchange of high-level visits between Malaysia and Thailand and underscores the warm, enduring and multifaceted relationship between the two close neighbours and fellow Asean member states.
"It also reflects the commitment of both countries in maintaining close consultations and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation across a broad range of areas,” it said.
The ministry, also known as Wisma Putra, said the visit provides an opportunity to sustain the momentum of high-level engagements between the two neighbouring countries.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will host a working lunch in honour of Sihasak, where both sides are expected to reaffirm their longstanding and close ties and exchange views on areas of mutual interest.
The discussions will also focus on the latest developments in southern Thailand, alongside efforts to enhance economic cooperation and border connectivity.
Economic ties remain an important component of the bilateral relationship, with Thailand ranking as Malaysia’s sixth-largest trading partner globally and second-largest among Asean member states in 2025.
Bilateral trade totalled RM118.57 billion (US$27.73 billion) in 2025.
From January to July this year, trade between the two countries reached RM85.01 billion (US$21.13 billion), up from RM66.95 billion (US$16.64 billion) in the corresponding period last year.
The continued growth reflects the strong economic ties and potential for further cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand. -- BERNAMA
