The agreement came yesterday after a meeting between His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

Somkid, who is also caretaker Commerce Minister, said the road map would boost the economies of both countries and develop cultural and social ties.

"In principle, we have agreed to draw up a comprehensive package for boosting our economies and tightening our relationship," Somkid said.

The strategic plan would cover an increase in trade and investment cooperation and would include cultural and tourism promotion. Somkid said it would also focus on bilateral cooperation "in depth", but would not extend to a bilateral free-trade agreement because the UK is a member of European Union.

Thailand will send an economic team and private sector leaders to the UK by next year "to tighten up the relationship and concrete the roadmap".

"I reported to HRH Prince Andrew that Thailand's economic situation is healthy, and confirmed that English investors can be highly confident about investing here," Somkid said.

The UK is interested in Thailand's mega-projects and Thailand would appreciate UK investment in the processed agricultural products and food industries, Somkid said.

The Commerce Ministry said two-way trade between the two nations was US$1.41 billion (Bt54.29 billion) in the first four months of this year. Thailand has a trade surplus with the UK, and in the first four months its exports rose by 11.12 per cent over the corresponding period last year, to $988 million.

Trade Negotiations Department director-general Apiradi Tantraporn said the first plan under the agreement would focus on increasing the number of tourists travelling to and from the UK.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation