During the official visit to Thailand by H.E. Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan from 1-2 May 2022, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand and H.E. the Prime Minister of Japan witnessed the signing ceremony of the Exchange of Notes regarding the Grant for COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Programme between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of Japan. The Exchange of Notes was signed by H.E. Mr. Nashida Kazuya, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, and Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, on 2 May 2022 at the Government House.

The Programme’s objective is to support Thailand in strengthening the resilient health system to prepare for post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery. The Government of Japan approved a grant of 500 Million Yen (133 Minion Baht) to the Government of Thailand providing medical equipment for further enhancement of Thailand’s public health system in three prioritised areas namely, upgrading quarantine measures at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and border checkpoints, supporting the COVID-19 Vaccine cold chain logistics and enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic system in medical facilities located in Thailand’s border areas with Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia.

This collaboration in public health between Thailand and Japan has built on successful development cooperation programmes on border health that TICA has implemented before the COVID-19 outbreak as one of the focused areas of development cooperation. The programmes have significantly contributed to the effective disease control along the borders during the COVID-19 pandemic through the setting up of a systematic referral system and twin hospitals. Hence, the cooperation between Thailand and Japan on the Programme for COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support not only represents the two countries’ close partnership for development but will also promote the well-being of the people in Thailand and her neighbouring countries.