On March 31, 2026, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Dr. Lertluck Leelaruangsang, welcomed a high-level delegation from Shandong Province, China, led by Ms. Li Hong, Deputy Director-General of the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee, People’s Republic of China. Held at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, the meeting also included former Deputy Prime Minister Phinij Jarusombat. The courtesy call coincided with the Yellow River-Mekong River Dialogue, serving as a platform to deepen the relationship between Bangkok and Shandong through multifaceted exchanges. The discussion outlined a multi-dimensional strategy designed to deepen mutual understanding through the exchange of knowledge on three primary pillars: tourism, art & culture, and economic integration, ensuring that the relationship between the two regions transcends official formalities to reach the citizens themselves.

During the dialogue, Dr. Lertluck underscored the symbolic and economic power of the “three rivers”, namely the Yellow, the Mekong, and the Chao Phraya, which she described as the lifeblood of Asian civilization. She emphasized that these waterways have evolved from historical roots into modern “rivers of trade opportunities,” connecting businesses and investors across the region. As a logistics hub for ASEAN and the heart of the Mekong region, Bangkok is positioning itself as a strategic gateway for entrepreneurs from the Yellow River basin. By leveraging infrastructure like the Chao Phraya’s surrounding network and high-speed rail connectivity under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) framework, the BMA aims to bridge northern Chinese industrial strength with Southeast Asian markets, creating a sustainable economic partnership that brings prosperity to all sectors.

The BMA’s vision for this collaboration extends to “Riverside Heritage Tourism,” which seeks to balance the preservation of ancient wisdom with the development of a modern creative economy. Dr. Lertluck noted that the ultimate challenge is ensuring these historic waterways remain sources of pride and sustainable benefit for future generations. By promoting cultural tourism that connects the heritage of all three river basins, the BMA hopes to build a foundation for even stronger collaborative networks. The Deputy Permanent Secretary concluded that by integrating economic cooperation with innovation across these three iconic rivers, Bangkok will not only achieve numerical growth but will truly transform into a livable city for all its citizens.

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