On 23 April 2014, H.E. Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, Chairman of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, to introduce himself as a newly appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam.  

     H.E. Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan congratulated H.E. Mr. Panyarak Poolthup on his appointment and for the elevation of the bilateral relations to the level of ‘Strategic Partnership’. The Chairman expressed his best wishes for the political solution in Thailand since the Party, Government and Vietnamese Fatherland Front attach high importance to Thailand. The Chairman also expressed his confidence that the thriving economic relations will push the trade volume to 15,000 billion dollars in 2020 as agreed by both governments. The Chairman expressed his appreciation for the constructive role of Thailand as the country coordinator for ASEAN-China relations. He also commended Thailand’s policy in providing the wellbeing for the Thai people with Vietnamese descent living in Thailand. 

     H.E. Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, in turn, praised the elevation of the bilateral relations to the level of ‘Strategic Partnership’. The Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the Chairman’s best wishes for the political solution in Thailand and, as soon as there is a new Thai Government, the Thai side would push for the early convening of the JCR, organizing the official visit to Thailand of H.E. the Prime Minister of Vietnam and the signing of the Plan of Action Implementing the Strategic Partnership (POA). The Ambassador reaffirmed that enhancing ‘Strategic Partnership’ with Vietnam is a national policy of Thailand. While the political situation in Thailand is yet to return to normal, the relations between the two countries are still ongoing, including the grand opening of Robins Department Store by Central Pattana Public Company Limited at Vincom Mega Mall in Hanoi on 20 April 2014, the joint patrol by the navies of the two countries. Additionally, the Embassy is planning to organize Thai Film Festivals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City this year while the project/activity planning for the 40th anniversary of Thailand-Vietnam diplomatic relations in 2016 is also being considered.