Oleh/By		: 	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	BANGKOK 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	08/12/82 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE OFFICIAL DINNER HOSTED BY THE 
			PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND, HIS 
			EXCELLENCY GENERAL TAN SRI 
			PREM TINSULANONDA 




Your Excellency, Prime Minister Prem; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and
Gentlemen.

On behalf of my wife, my delegation, and myself I wish to express my
appreciation to His Excellency Prime Minister Prem and the Government and
people of Thailand for the warm hospitality accorded to us. We are happy
to be in Bangkok at a time when the City is celebrating its 200th
Anniversary and the Bicentennial year of the Chakri Dynasty. On this
auspicious occasion I wish to extend our greetings and best wishes to the
people of Thailand.

2. This is my second visit to Thailand as Prime Minister, and it is
reflective of the Malaysian commitment to strengthening the bonds of
friendship between our two countries. Mr. Prime Minister, I am in total
agreement with your sentiments that Malaysia and Thailand should continue
to strengthen the close links of friendship and intensify the cooperation
that have always characterised our relations. Beyond mere words or
statements of intent our commitment is manifested in our deeds: from our
close bilateral cooperation in the security and socio-economic areas, to
our mutual commitment to the objectives of ASEAN.

3. As close neighbours, common sense dictates that in our relations with
each other there can be no alternative to mutual trust and the willingness
to work together in facing our common problems. Indeed, our two countries
are also brought together because of our affinity for each other and the
many common perceptions we share. Among others, we share the common
conviction that our peoples should continue to live in an environment of
peace and stability, so that we can get on with the business of providing
our peoples with a better life and a brighter future. The priority that we
have mutually given to our relations is unquestionable; so too, our need
for each other is unquestionable.

4. These are troubled times: not only have we to contend with a major
world-wide economic recession, but also serious challenges to the peace
and stability of our region. It is, therefore, all the more imperative
that we continue working together both bilaterally and within the context
of ASEAN.

Mr. Prime Minister, my discussions with you this afternoon only serve to
reinforce my conviction that we are of like-mind, that none can drive a
wedge in our bonds of friendship. We have the fullest confidence in one
another's commitment to a policy of mutual respect, close cooperation and
good neighbourliness. The wide ranging areas of our cooperation exemplify
the close and active relations between our two countries. These encompass
international, regional, and bilateral issues.

5. On the international plane we are in constant consultations with one
another on a wide range of issues, from trade to international relations,
and at the United Nations.

6. In the regional context, through our unwavering support for ASEAN, we
have chartered a course of regional cooperation which has brought about a
high degree of cohesion among the ASEAN countries. It is through this
ASEAN spirit and our commitment to the objectives of ASEAN that today we
have in our region an association of nations that we can be justly proud
of, for the simple reason that it works.

7. The motive-force for the success of ASEAN lies in our firm belief in
peace and in working together for the prosperity of all in the
region. Consistent with this conviction and a sense of a common destiny
ASEAN sponsored the concept of a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality
(ZOPFAN) for this region. We are convinced that through ZOPFAN we can
eliminate outside interference and ensure regional stability, so that we
can concentrate on improving the lot of our people.

8. It is with the same spirit that ASEAN has approached the issue of
Kampuchea. Vietnam's military intervention and continued occupation of
Kampuchea represents not only a direct interference in the internal
affairs of the country, but a threat to the peace and stability of the
whole region.

The unresolved situation in Kampuchea also invites and encourages outside
interference, in a way that can only be detrimental to the region's
interest. It is for this reason that we are making vigorous efforts to
achieve a political solution of the Kampuchean problem so that the
Kampuchean people will again enjoy their freedom and independence, and
countries in the region will enjoy durable peace and stability. The
establishment of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea
(CGDK) is an important and historic event in the achievement of a
political solution to the Kampuchean problem. Malaysia welcomes the
formation of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea headed by
His Highness Prince Norodom Sihanouk as it represents a positive
development. We must continue to urge for a political solution based on
the ICK declaration and UN Resolution.

9. As close neighbours, Malaysia stands by Thailand in the face of events
in Kampuchea. Particularly for Thailand the situation in Kampuchea poses a
direct threat to its security and also places undue burdens on it, given
the many thousands of refugees who have fled into the country.

Malaysia will work closely with Thailand for the preservation of peace and
stability in the region.

10. I wish to reiterate, Mr. Prime Minister, that the corner-stone of
Malaysia's foreign policy vis-a-vis Thailand, is, and will always be, one
of good neighbourliness through mutual assistance and cooperation.

In the security field Malaysia will continue to give the highest priority
in our joint war against the communist terrorists in our common border
area within the context of the General Border Committee (GBC). We will
also, through joint action and cooperation, continue in our endeavours
towards the social and economic upliftment of our peoples in the common
border area.

11. Malaysia and Thailand have shown through examples our conviction that
cooperation and mutual respect are the true ingredients for stability and
prosperity. This is manifested in the various agreements of a cooperative
nature that we have institutionalised in our relations. Besides the GBC,
the Memorandum of Understanding between our two countries on the
Establishment of a Joint Authority for the Exploitation of the Continental
Shelf in the Gulf of Thailand is a unique example of how problems between
nations can be resolved. It symbolises our maturity and good sense and is
particularly relevant today when issues of territorial claims often
constitute major irritants between nations. (Personally I would like to
thank you, Mr. Prime Minister for making available one of your most
capable rice experts. I am glad to inform you that he is doing a very good
job.) 12. In addition our two countries have also identified many areas of
common endeavour to benefit our two peoples: from the joint development of
the Golok River Basin and other agricultural cooperation, to joint
exploration for coal and other mineral deposits.

13. Your Excellency, the friendship between our two countries is not
skin-deep. It is truly tried and tested and built upon many years of
goodwill and trust. I have every confidence that none can destroy the
bonds of friendship between Malaysia and Thailand. The spirit of give and
take, and good sense will always prevail in our relations.

14. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I invite you now to
join me in a toast to the good health of Their Majesties the King and
Queen of Thailand, and to His Excellency Prime Minister Prem, the
Government and people of Thailand.

Thank you.