Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday told a high-powered Japanese business delegation that he intends to carry on the previous administration's policy of welcoming foreign investment, "especially investment from Japan."
It was something of an about-face for Thaksin, who assumed the prime ministership on Saturday after running a populist campaign that accused the previous administration of selling out the country to foreign investors.
But during a 45-minute meeting with a Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) fact-finding delegation, the telecommunications tycoon offered assurances that Japanese investments will be well looked after.
He said he particularly wants to attract Japanese investment that will foster small and medium-size enterprises in Thailand.