This is the third in a series of interviews with leaders of ASEAN and its member states to highlight the importance of strengthening relations with the 10-member bloc following the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). ― ED.
By Kim Jae-kyoung
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
SINGAPORE ― Hallyu or the Korean wave has played a critical role in bringing Koreans and Thais and other Asian people together, according to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
He said hallyu has emerged as a role model of culture becoming an engine of growth and an enabler of socioeconomic development among nations across Asia.
“What Korea has done with the Korean wave is very impressive and has become a model for many countries in Asia,” Prayut said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.
He said in Thailand, the effect has been so extensive that hallyu is affecting Thai people’s daily lives in many areas ranging from culture and academia to politics.
“We watch Korean dramas and eat Korean food almost as often as we do Thai. This means our people have been brought much closer,” he said.
“Coming back to activities in academic circles, I think language is the foundation. Recently there have been a lot of Thai students studying Korean and vice versa. More students and academia exchange programs should be initiated from both sides.”
Prayut, who took power in a 2014 coup, hopes improved bilateral relations in cultural and academic fields initiated by hallyu will translate into bolstering cooperation in the political arena.
“In political circles, we have seen more visits of high levels from Korea. With this momentum, our cooperation will be broadened in the very near future,” he said.
Known as a fan of Korean dramas, the military general-turned-prime minister said Koreans are good at displaying Asian people’s common values in dramas.
“In my view, Korean drama has done a lot of research. It is so popular because it brings the shared values and merits of all,” he said. “These values are also the core values of Thai society and define who we are.”
He cited “Descendants of the Sun” as a prime example. The mega-hit military romance drama, which features top Korean actor Song Joong-ki and actress Song Hye-kyo, has been sold to over 30 countries, including Thailand, Singapore and the United States.
“That is the reason why I particularly admire ‘Descendants of the Sun’ because not only it tells a love story, but it also instills senses of patriotism, self-sacrifice, and citizenship rights and responsibilities, which are very relevant to our society at this point in time,” he said.
The Thai prime minister’s love of Korean dramas is a great example that culture is the best avenue of diplomatic contact.
Prayut said his government is prepared to provide various incentives for Korean companies investing in Thailand.
“We are willing to offer a dedicated industrial estate for Korean investors,” he said. “Not only privileges that Korean investors will get from investing in industrial estates, but they are also provided tax incentives of up to eight years.”
“So my key message is that there are plenty of opportunities for Korean businesses in Thailand, be they large, medium or small enterprises.”
Citing Korea as a major strategic partner in Asia, he suggested the so-called Thailand+1 model in which Korean firms will join hands with Thai partners when entering its neighboring ASEAN markets ― Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, known collectively as CLMV.
“Border trade with CLMV is growing robustly and will likely do so for years to come,” he said.
“If Korean firms are considering investments in CLMV countries in order to tap into rising markets, a Thailand+1 model would provide an excellent platform for Korean entrepreneurs.”
He also stressed the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation into diverse areas, noting that investments from Korea are on the rise and the number of Korean visitors is expected to hit a record high this year.
“With such a solid base of people-to-people exchange, Korea is so important to Thailand’s market and we hope more investment from Korea will be following since we both agreed to further new areas of cooperation such as infrastructure development and advanced science and technology,” he said.
He believes the two countries should seek cooperation in long-term economic policies because Thailand’s 4.0 Policy and Korea’s Three-Year Plan for Economic Innovation can really complement each other, especially on innovation.
“I think the strength of our economic relations lies in the fact that our economic policies align,” he said, “so that is where we should focus our attention.”