On 10 February 2026, Her Excellency Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, was invited to attend a meeting to promote cooperation between the Southern Boder Provinces (SBPs) of Thailand and the State of Perak, Malaysia. The meeting was organised by Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), in collaboration with public and private sectors of Perak at the Cusuarina Hotel, Ipoh, Perak, whereby Mr. Piyasiri Wattanavrangkul, Secretary-General of the SBPAC led the Thai delegation, including representatives from the Department of Agricultural Extension; the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Forward Command; Fatoni University; and the Southern Border Provinces Islamic Pondok Association, to discuss cooperation with the Malaysian side led by YB Dato’ Seri Ir Mahammad Nizar bin Jamaluddin, Chairman of the Perak State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee and former Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Perak; Mr. Nordin bin Abdul Malek, Chairman of the Perak Tengah District Community Development Association and the Institut Ago dan Keusahawanan (iGROW); along with representatives from relevant Perak state agencies.

 

The Ambassador emphasised the importance of strengthening Thailand - Malaysia trade and investment cooperation to achieve the bilateral trade target of USD 30 billion by 2027 in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of Thailand - Malaysia diplomatic relations, while encouraging the meeting to discuss projects and activities that deliver tangible benefits to people of both sides and align with shared strategic sectors of the Royal Thai Government and the Malaysian Government, especially the halal industry, rubber and education, through integrated public-private collaboration. Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Embassy has been implementing a results-oriented economic diplomacy with 3Cs objectives: (1) building Confidence, (2) enhancing Thailand’s Competitiveness, and (3) promoting Collaboration and partnership in all regions, through Thailand - Malaysia economic initiatives and activities, particularly in infrastructure connectivity, trade and investment facilitation, food and halal industries, tourism, and the development of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), while encouraging the meeting to maximise opportunities under ASEAN frameworks, including promoting intra-ASEAN trade as well as cross-border digital trade and e-commerce, among others.

 

The meeting discussed cooperation between the SBPs and the State of Perak in a constructive atmosphere, grounded in the close cultural ties and shared ways of life between people of both sides, while highlighting the importance of implementing concrete cooperation projects in halal industries, agriculture, tourism, education and skills development. Notable discussions included student and teacher exchanges between Thailand’s pondok and Malaysia’s tahfiz institutions, as well as a knowledge exchange in Islamic fashion, marking an importance step toward strengthening cooperation in the area and contributing to broader socio-economic development and improving the quality of life for people in Thailand and Malaysia.