Thailand and Singapore have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties, closer cooperation and share common goals to achieve the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community in 2015 as Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra paid an official one-day introductory visit to Singapore on Thursday.

This is the first visit by the Thai prime minister to Singapore since she assumed office on Aug 5 this year.

The official welcome ceremony for Ms Yingluck was held at the Istana, the official residence and office of the president of Singapore and she later met with her Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.

During the discussion, both leaders expressed satisfaction for the close ties at all levels and affirmed the importance of institutional links, such as the Civil Service Exchange Program or CSEP, and the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relations (STEER) program.

The Thai prime minister proposed Singapore to host the 3rd STEER after Thailand organised the last meeting six years ago as during the gap, many economic challenges and development happenings took place between the two countries and in the region.

STEER was launched by Singapore’s former prime minister Goh Chok Tong and former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when Mr Goh visited Thailand Feb 18-20, 2002 to promote closer economic cooperation. Under the agreement, Thai and Singapore agencies were to meet regularly to foster closer economic integration and cooperation.

Mr Lee has offered his condolences to the Thai premier and Thai people for the destruction and loss of lives caused by flood crisis in Thailand. He also expressed confidence that the Thais would emerge stronger from the tragedy.

Ms Yingluck expressed gratitude for the Singapore assistance including S$100,000 aid. She also thanked Singaporean investors who still have confidence in the country and to continue their investment in Thailand.

She explained Thailand’s post flood rehabilitation measures to bring Thailand back to normal.

Singapore is Thailand's fifth ranked trading partner, one of the most important among Southeast Asian countries. The country is also the second largest labour market for Thai workers.

Ms Yingluck thanked the Singaporean government for taking good care of Thai workers.

Mr Lee said Singapore looks forward to deepening political, economic and cultural ties with Thailand. Both countries should also strengthen their regional cooperation within ASEAN, and work towards the common goal of an ASEAN Community by 2015 and a peaceful, prosperous and more integrated Southeast Asia.
 
Thailand and Singapore should also look to the future and see how their bilateral relationship could be further strengthened as the two countries become part of the ASEAN community, said Ms Yingluck.

Before holding bilateral talks, the Thai premier was to go to the National Orchid Garden inside the Singapore Botanical Gardens, where an orchid will be named “Ascocenda Yingluck Shinawatra,” in her honour. The hybrid orchid sports shades of pink, red and purple.

Ms Yingluck later met President Tony Tan Keng Yam and attended an official dinner hosted by Mr Lee before returning to Thailand.