Leaders from Thailand and Sri Lanka have signed documents to strengthen bilateral ties and develop a strategic economic partnership.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is on an official visit to Sri Lanka to boost economic partnerships in key areas like trade and investment, tourism, and academic and cultural cooperation.
During his two-day trip that ends today, Gen Prayut met President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss regional issues including enhanced maritime connectivity.
The leaders also presided over the signing of four documents including the Treaty on the Transfer of Offenders, a pact dubbed Cooperation in the Enforcement of Penal Sentences, and a memorandum of understanding on a strategic economic partnership.
Gen Prayut was scheduled to have a working breakfast today with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He was also due to meet opposition leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan and representatives of the Thai private sector to discuss investment there.
Sri Lanka, which lies in the Indian Ocean a few hundred kilometres southeast of India, is strategically significant to China's One Belt One Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific strategies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Gen Prayut was accompanied on his trip by his wife Naraporn, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, PM's Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool, and Deputy Minister of Commerce Chutima Bunyapraphasara.
MFA spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks said the signing of the four documents was important as they reflect areas of cooperation that can be further expanded.
Other matters that might be discussed during the trip include opportunities to increase investments as both Thailand and Sri Lanka are key gateways in their respective regions.
Furthering technical cooperation and promoting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by adopting Thailand's Sufficiency Economy Philiosphy, a program launched by the late king, were also expected to be on the agenda.
Officials said a joint action programme would likely be signed before Gen Prayut departs.
