Government’s Spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong (host): Good morning everyone, today PM Yingluck Shinawatra and I, Government’s Spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong, are broadcasting “Yingluck Government Meets the People” program in a new setting. Our background is the Eiffel tower which is the symbol of France and is located in Paris. The front of Eiffel town is called Champs de mars and the front of Champs de Mars is where the Statute of Liberty is situated. The area around the Statute of Liberty contains various writings of the word “liberty” explaining that liberty is what everyone seeks. PM Yingluck chose this location by herself. How do you feel about your official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic?
PM Yingluck: Actually, we have changed the location of this radio program several times but since we are in France now, I’d like to share Paris view with the Thai people.
Host: About the PM’s official visit, the premier departed from Bangkok since 17 July 2012 to Germany and now we are in France where the PM has been working very hard. Could you please share with the public, the works that you have completed as the representative of Thailand?
PM Yingluck: The purpose of this visit is to gain insight on the European economic crisis about which the government has been closely monitoring for a while. This visit allows us to receive the information directly from these countries especially Germany and France who are Thailand’s important export targets. The government will also use this opportunity to build confidence in Thailand to investors. The current situation can be turned into opportunity for Thailand to seek new investing targets. Both the German and French governments recognize the Thai government as the government that came from democracy because liberty and democracy are at topmost importance for them.
Host: You have met leaders of the two countries. Could you please share us the experience of meeting the German PM Chancellor Angela Merkel and the president and prime minister of France?
PM Yingluck: I’ll start with Germany. During the discussion, the German PM inquired about Thailand’s background, democracy curriculum in schools and especially flood prevention measures and investment. I took the opportunity to build confidence in Thailand. For bilateral cooperation, we discussed several issues including vocational education. The system to be cooperated on is called “Dual System” which means the students will study theory and practical knowledge in the same time. Moreover, Germany emphasized a lot on Green Economy meaning the development of renewable energy. Germany possesses advanced technology in renewable energy hence the partnership agreement will greatly benefit Thailand.
Host: Thai people in Germany were glad to meet the PM. Apart from meeting with the German Prime Minister; you also invited Thai businessmen to this trip. How are the feedbacks from them?
PM Yingluck: 73 businessmen join this trip. We organized seminar for businessmen from the two countries from similar industries to meet and discuss. Most of the businessmen were interested in technology exchange. In Germany the focus was on education and energy while garment and jewelry were for France. Most of the businessmen were pleased with the discussion because both German and French investors showed interest in investing in Thailand. I must tell the Thai people here that for foreigners Thailand is an attractive investing target. We are not only full of natural resources and attractive in terms of investment but also the gateway to ASEAN.
Host: How about France? Your morning schedule today was very packed with the discussion with the French PM, private sector and the Thai private sector. Moreover, you also participated in the food fair by the Thai people in France. Could you please summarize your experience today especially the discussion with French leaders?
PM Yingluck: The discussion with French leaders resulted in cooperation in several areas mainly similar to those with Germany with fashion design as additional since many world leading designers are here.
PM Yingluck: This visit to Europe is perfect timing. We are here to build confidence in Thailand and support the two countries in the same time.
Host: PM Yingluck’s official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic marks 150 years of relationship between Thailand and the two countries. Moreover, the last visit to these two countries by the Thai PM was in 1995 or 17 years ago. PM Yingluck’s government works in order to create good relationship between Thailand and other countries for the benefit of Thailand and the Thai people. This is the end of the program today.
PM Yingluck: I’m looking forward to meeting Thai people in Thailand. See you on Sunday.