BANGKOK, April 20, 2017 (NNT) - Thailand is aiming to boost trade relations with Kazakhstan through close collaboration in energy and tourism.

Lt. Gen. Werachon Sukondhapatipak, spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office, said that Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday met with H.E. Mr. Marat Yessenbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Thailand, who paid a courtesy visit to bid farewell as his 4-year posting to the country is ending.

During the meeting, Gen. Prayut congratulated Kazakhstan on becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations’ Security Council and the country’s chairing of the council in January 2018, Lt. Gen. Werachon said.

He added that the Thai PM and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan also agreed on several economic issues, as Kazakhstan is Thailand’s largest trading partner in Central Asia, and the two nations should try to boost the value of their trade.

PM Prayut noted that Kazakhstan is a country with energy reserves and the Thai private sector is interested in exploring new economic opportunities there, the spokesman for the PM’s Office said.

In addition, the two discussed plans to boost tourism to both countries as a further move to strengthen relations between the peoples of Thailand and Kazakhstan, Lt. Gen. Werachon added.