Thai deputy prime minister to visit Seoul next month

Thailand's deputy prime minister and foreign minister is set to visit Seoul next month for talks with his Korean counterpart, the Thai ambassador said Tuesday, as the two countries push to finalize a long-delayed trade deal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will visit on July 3 — his first trip to Seoul in his current capacity — Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat told reporters at a media briefing at the Thai Embassy on Tuesday.

The visit will include a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, while a courtesy call on President Lee Jae Myung is also under consideration, Sangrat said.

The two countries are working toward finalizing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, or CEPA, with Sangrat saying he expects the deal to be concluded this year. Sihasak and Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo agreed in January on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos to accelerate the talks.

Sangrat also said he expects discussions to touch on defense industry cooperation and semiconductors, though he noted the agenda has not been finalized.

The diplomatic push is part of a broader Thai campaign in Seoul this summer.

The Thai Embassy will open a startup hub at its chancery on Wednesday and host its annual street festival at Cheonggyecheon this weekend. Now in its 11th year, the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival will feature Thai cuisine, traditional performances, T-pop acts and a parade — with this year's showcase centered on the chut thai, Thailand's national dress, which Bangkok is submitting to Unesco for intangible heritage recognition later this year.

The first large-scale showcase of Thai art in Korea, with over 200 Thai artifacts, opens at the National Museum of Korea on June 23 and runs through Sept. 6, before traveling to Tongdo Temple in South Gyeongsang.

A Thailand-Korea business forum focused on biohealth, medical technology and food innovation follows on July 22 at the Lotte Hotel Seoul.

BY SEO JI-EUN   [[email protected]]