TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s new representative to Thailand, Peter Lan (藍夏禮), arrived in Bangkok on Sunday.

This is Lan’s second diplomatic posting to the Southeast Asian country. He noted that Thailand has undergone significant changes over the past decade, CNA reported. He plans to advance cooperation and strengthen links between Taiwan and Thailand.

Taiwan’s strengths in the technology, electronics, and semiconductor industries have become increasingly prominent, Lan said, adding that many Taiwanese businesses and startups have entered Thailand over the past few years.

Lan felt deeply humbled and honored to return to Thailand for a second assignment. Reflecting on past developments, he mentioned Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, and President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) goal of turning Taiwan into a “nonstop economy.”

Lan previously served as director-general of the foreign ministry’s Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. The Cabinet appointed him as the representative to Thailand in May.

Taiwan and Thailand signed an investment promotion and protection agreement last summer. According to the Cabinet, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Thailand has increased 74.6 percent from US$9.3 billion (NT$273.82 billion) in 2016 to US$16.24 billion in 2023. Bilateral investment also grew by nearly 120 percent from US$3.18 billion to US$6.99 billion during the same period.