PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin’s recent visit to Sadao in southern Thailand yielded tangible progress in border development cooperation.

Thai government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said the visit solidified cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia in various sectors, including infrastructure development, trade, tourism, agriculture, and border security.

He said Srettha fully grasped the significance of Thailand-Malaysia ties across various areas.

“This meeting of Thai and Malaysian prime ministers is a continuation of our efforts to strengthen the bilateral relationship. We have made concrete progress in many areas, including infrastructure development, trade facilitation, tourism and agricultural development.

“This shows the determination of the two leaders to jointly promote and develop the border areas and propel cooperation that fosters mutual benefits,” he said in a statement.

Chai said Thailand and Malaysia’s leaders were committed to boosting trade and investment to fulfil their objectives, including to expedite the memorandum of understanding on cross-border transport to facilitate seamless trade and commerce between the countries.

Chai said both nations have expressed their shared hope for the expeditious completion of a crucial road link connecting the new Sadao checkpoint in Thailand with Malaysia’s Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in a bid to enhance cross-border connectivity and boost regional economic growth.

To combat cross-border wildlife trafficking, Chai said the two prime ministers pledge close and intensive collaboration to eradicate illicit wildlife trade.

On Monday, Srettha and Anwar visited the meeting point of the road alignment project connecting the Bukit Kayu Hitam and Sadao checkpoints. – Bernama, November 29, 2023.