Britain desires strong Thai links

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Bangkok Post: 20 Jul 2010
Britain desires strong Thai links

The British government wants to keep pace with new business opportunities in emerging Asian economies and the Asean region, says Jeremy Browne, minister of state at the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Browne: Stability will benefit businesses

Mr Browne said the emerging middle class of Asia would shift economic power to Asia from Europe. The emerging Asia-Pacific economies that are members of the G-20 include China, India, South Korea, Indonesia and Australia.

"The British government wants to ensure it responds to this changing world order," he said.

Mr Browne made the comments after his meeting with Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra and politicians in the opposition camps on Sunday.

Thailand is his first stop in Asia after his appointment under David Cameron's premiership in May. Mr Browne said the visit was for both political and economic reasons. The British government wishes Thailand to be politically successful and stable so that businesses have a sound foundation.

Mr Browne said he anticipated reconciliation would gain momentum and hoped for a political settlement in Thailand that reflects the will of the people accurately.

He also discussed the relaxation of property rights for foreign businesses and individuals with local officials.

Mr Browne said he was surprised at how quickly sentiment recovered from the political crisis in April and May.

"What struck me the most [during a visit to the Ratchaprasong area] was the difference between the pictures shown on TV and what is really happening," he said.

He expects the tourism sector to recover soon, while confidence from foreign investors will take longer.

Mr Browne will next visit Hong Kong, the Philippines and Indonesia on this trip, and he expects to visit China over the next two months.

Last year more than 800,000 British tourists visited Thailand and about 50,000 British citizens live in the kingdom.

Around 5,000 Thais went to study in the UK last year.

"There are more British births in Thailand than in any other country in the region," he said.

Commenting on UK politics, Mr Browne said the coalition government shows politicians can work together in a mature way.

Across the world, the era of governments enjoying single-party rule is fading, he said.

He added the British government's stance on Burma remained unchanged. It believes the upcoming election cannot genuinely reflect the will of the people because of restrictions on freedom of expression and the imprisonment of democracy activists.

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