Chief Adviser urges Thailand to ease visa procedures

The head of the Interim Government raised the issue when he met the Thai Prime Minister on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

The Chief Adviser said the Thai Embassy in Dhaka does not have the capacity to process more visas, resulting in a long delay and queue of the Bangladeshi people waiting to travel to Thailand.

“Bangladeshi people who seek treatment in Thailand face a lot of visa difficulties,” Prof Yunus said, seeking the Thai Prime Minister’s support in this regard.

The Chief Adviser also called for expanded trade, shipping and maritime relations and air connectivity between the two countries.

He said Bangladesh and Thailand can reduce travel time if flights are launched from Chittagong.

Prof Yunus recalled the impact made by Air Asia when it launched a flight between Chittagong and the Thai resort city of Chiang Mai more than a decade ago.

Prof Yunus began his meeting by reflecting on the longstanding and excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Thailand.

He paid tribute to the late King Bhumibol, who played a key role in Thailand’s early recognition of an independent Bangladesh in 1972.

The discussion also focused on investment, with Prof Yunus inviting Thai companies to join next week’s investment summit in Dhaka.

In this context, he suggested that Bangladesh would like to participate in the trilateral highway project involving Thailand, India, and Myanmar when conditions permit.

Prof Yunus proposed that both countries initiate a Joint Feasibility Study for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as soon as possible, with a view to starting formal negotiations.