Thailand recognises "emerging opportunities" in India, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Monday as he expressed willingness to learn from experience of countries like India in counter insurgency strategies to fight rebellion in the southern part of his country.
When asked if Thailand is willing to learn from India which has been doing counter-insurgency operations for decades in its territories of Kashmir and the Northeast, Vejjajiva said, "As far as learning from people's experience is concern, we welcome, we have number of friends. Share with us. I welcome all contributions."
He was addressing a group of 14 journalists from seven Asian countries - India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Bangladesh, Singapore and Pakistan - at a government house here.
The journalists are on a Media Familiarisation Trip from July 18 to 24 to know Thailand and its Muslim dominated southern region which is infested with insurgency.
Speaking on the Indo-Thai bilateral ties the premier said, "Lots of movements (between India and Thailand) not just government but also in private sector and I hope to see rapid
expansion of trade and investment in the two countries."
"Thailand recognises the emerging opportunities in the West and I am sure India feels the same as it looks towards the East," he said.
Vowing to resolve the conflict in the three southern provinces of of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, Vejjajiva said "My government is determined for establishing peace and
stability in south through justice and development."
The Prime Minister said security forces will be made accountable for their actions.
Earlier, briefing journalists, Isorn Pocmontri, Ambassador attached to Thai Foreign Ministry said, "We would welcome any Indian experience in counter insurgency. We would
be interested. We have been initiating dialogue with countries like India through BIMSTEC."
"India is market for Thai products. We have initiated dialogue on trade and investment with India," he added.
According to reports, insurgency in southern Thailand is due to historical and cultural reasons which includes 200 years of occupation, the 1960 resettlement of northeastern
Thais in the region and to the alleged Thai and cultural and economic imperialism in Pattani, including allegations of security personnel brutality and corruptions.