Dr. Yunus Seeks Thaksin's Support on Ties and Rohingya Crisis

Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus met former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, where he sought Thaksin’s support to enhance bilateral relations and address the ongoing Rohingya crisis, aiming to bring lasting peace to the region.

During the meeting, Prof. Yunus expressed gratitude to Thaksin for his efforts to boost Thai-Bangladesh trade and cooperation during his tenure as Prime Minister of Thailand. The two leaders also discussed global trade issues, as well as the expansion of microcredit and social business initiatives in rural Thailand, according to the Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

Prof. Yunus, an old friend of Thaksin, inquired about his health and reminisced about the Thai leader's visit to Bangladesh in 2001, when he was inspired by Grameen Bank's microcredit model. Thaksin had invited Yunus as the chief guest for the launch of a similar program in Thailand that year.

Additionally, the two discussed the potential re-launch of the airline route between Chiang Mai and Chattogram, which had previously shortened the flight time between Bangladesh and Thailand to just one hour. Thaksin also recalled the inaugural flight with then-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from Chattogram to Chiang Mai.

Prof. Yunus sought Thaksin's support for Bangladesh's ambition to join ASEAN, and both leaders addressed various matters of mutual interest. Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator of Bangladesh, was also present during the meeting.