BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul welcomed Fumio Kishida, a Liberal Democratic Party Member of the House of Representatives and former Prime Minister of Japan, at Government House. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties, protecting the domestic automotive manufacturing base amid the electric-vehicle transition, and advancing clean-energy cooperation.
Government Spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises stated that the two leaders also highlighted the close relationship between the Thai and Japanese royal families, citing Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya’s participation in the Asian Games and the Prime Minister’s recent meeting with the Japanese Crown Prince at the royal funeral of King Harald V of Norway. Both sides look forward to celebrating the 140th anniversary of Thai-Japanese diplomatic relations in 2027.
On economic and industrial cooperation, Anutin addressed Japanese concerns about imported EVs’ impact on Thailand’s domestic auto sector. He explained the government’s excise tax measures for imported EVs and reaffirmed Thailand’s support for domestic EV production while protecting the traditional automotive industry.
The Prime Minister invited Japanese automakers to include Thailand in their future EV supply chains, emphasizing that ongoing investment and technology transfer will help preserve local jobs and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Thailand’s automotive industry.
The discussion also addressed energy security and the shift to a low-carbon economy. The Japanese delegation expressed readiness to provide clean energy technology and support Thailand’s efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The meeting concluded with the Prime Minister recalling his recent stop in Japan to meet with “Team Thailand” before attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting the Thai government’s ongoing commitment to its strategic and economic partnership with Japan. (NNT)
