National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today in Bangkok, Thailand with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand. He also met with Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Thailand treaty alliance and partnership, and discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation across a range of bilateral and global issues. Mr. Sullivan emphasized U.S. commitment to expanding collaboration on trade and investment, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, deepening our people-to-people ties, and broadening our security cooperation as we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. Mr. Sullivan affirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to ASEAN centrality, and welcomed the United States’ engagement with Thailand in ASEAN settings. The two sides also discussed the importance of democracy, human rights, and ensuring all citizens can freely participate in the political process.
Mr. Sullivan also discussed regional and global issues, including efforts to address the worsening crisis in Burma. They discussed the importance of providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma, and welcomed efforts to advance meaningful implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. Mr. Sullivan also emphasized U.S. commitment to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. Mr. Sullivan welcomed plans to increase the pace of high-level U.S.-Thai engagement, including through the U.S.-Thailand Strategic and Defense Dialogue in February, through which U.S. and Thai officials will build on our 190 years of bilateral relations to further strengthen our alliance and partnership.