by Mr. Mongkol Visitstump

Consul-General of Royal Thai Consulate General in Kunming

The field trip to Xishuangbanna provided an opportunity for diplomatic corp from the MLC countries in China to understand the real situation of Lanchang river and the upstream areas in China. This allows us to see relevant areas with our own eyes, get information with our own ears and able to learn with open-mind.

Thailand wishes to congratulate the 5th anniversary of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation this year. Thailand as a country that initiated this cooperation framework stands ready to work closely with all members countries, especially China as a prime mover and funder.

Thailand appreciates the advancement of undertakings in the 3 pillars, 5 areas and plus 'x' under the MLC which is considered as one of the most successful framework in the region.

Our appreciation also goes to China for her great role in contributing MLC special fund for executing more than 500 development projects, including the elevating cooperation on water management to ministerial meeting and her willingness to share all-year round data of water in Lancang-Mekong river to all members and at present the data platform has been established since last November and could be accessed every morning as informed by Mr. Luo Shuang. This helps enhance trust-building and facilitate effective water management of all downstream countries in Mekong, our shared river, for the benefit of not only for waterway transportation but also water usages for other purposes , including agriculture for the benefits of all people

Thank you Mr. Tian Fuqiang for sharing your valuable views on the role of dams for sustainable development as all countries are moving towards the targets set out by the UN's SDG and sustainability is a big term for every country to sustain and prosper as well as to achieve poverty reduction and zero hunger. We see this significant as Thailand is one among active prime mover countries of sustainable development both at global and regional levels.

-Thailand supports working in harmony and alignment of cooperation frameworks in the sub-region for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, particularly the MLC, the ACMECS and the GMS.

With the presence of Consulates-General of the Mekong countries, we wish that Yunnan where the Lancang River flows through and that is the nearest Chinese province to the Mekong countries as well as the location of dams on the Lancang River can play more important role in promoting good understanding, close and practical cooperation with the Mekong countries such as education, training and researches in water resources related fields, for example dam safety and flood prevention as mentioned by Dr. Zhong Yong.

We have lot of work to do to push forward the MLC work program through related mechanism like the Joint Working Group. COVID-19 can not prevent us from working together to discusss and share views. I hope that after the COVID-19 situation is better, Thailand can send experts to work out with the Chinese side.