BANGKOK, Feb 4 (TNA) — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of the ASEAN culture while launching the ASEAN Cultural Year.
He said ASEAN cooperation could lead to sustainable growth.
Gen Prayut was presiding over an event to launch the ASEAN Cultural Year and on the occasion he watched 9 performances of Southeast Asian cultures and presented the English-language “Vivid ASEAN book” to representatives of the embassies of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations had high potential on cultural partnership and cooperation in the region would lead to comprehensive growth, the prime minister said.
“The development of good ties based on ASEAN unity is aimed at future partnership, mutual trust and mutual respect. This will lead to sustainable growth… Apart from economic and political cooperation, social and cultural cooperation plays important roles in unifying ASEAN citizens… The government supports cultural cooperation for the development of life and global security,” Gen Prayut said.
Thailand, as the ASEAN chair, initiated the ASEAN Cultural Year to present ASEAN to the international community and the project should help boost international tourism, trade and investment, he said.
There were also an exhibition on the ASEAN Cultural Year and music performances with ASEAN instruments. The prime minister tried playing a Thai xylophone and singing there. (TNA)
