Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Meets with Bangladesh Chief Adviser

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus held a meeting with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok on Friday. During the discussion, Professor Yunus inquired about the health of Mr. Thaksin, a long-standing friend of the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate, as confirmed by the Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. The meeting also reflected on their shared history, with Mr. Thaksin having visited Bangladesh and the Grameen Bank in 2001 shortly after taking office, which led to the development of a microcredit programme in Thailand inspired by the Grameen model. Professor Yunus had attended the national launch of that programme as the chief guest. The two leaders discussed the potential resumption of the Chiang Mai–Chattogram flight route, which had once reduced travel time between Bangladesh and Thailand to just one hour. Mr. Thaksin fondly remembered flying with then Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on the inaugural flight. Other key issues of mutual interest were addressed, including Bangladesh’s aspiration to join ASEAN, for which Professor Yunus sought Mr. Thaksin’s support. He also expressed gratitude for Mr. Thaksin’s past efforts in enhancing trade and cooperation between the two nations and requested his continued support in strengthening bilateral ties, resolving the Rohingya crisis, and promoting peace in the region. Discussions also covered global trade dynamics and the expansion of microcredit and social businesses in rural Thailand. The meeting was attended by Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Affairs Coordinator of the Bangladesh government.