A monk uses a boat for transport along a flooded street in Bangkok on Oct 29, 2011. Receding floodwaters north of Bangkok have reduced the threat to the Thai capital, the prime minister said on Saturday, but high tides in the Gulf of Thailand will still test the city's flood defenses. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday called his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra to express sympathy with the flood victims of the Southeast Asian nation and provide fresh aid.

In the phone conversation, he said Beijing has decided to provide more assistance to Thailand after previous aid.

China is closely following the developments in flood-hit Thailand, Wen said, adding the Chinese government and people are sympathizing with the sufferings of the Thai people.

He said he believes the Thai people led by the Yingluck government will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland.

Wen said China and Thailand have been supporting and helping each other for a long time, as the notion that "China and Thailand are one family" has been rooted in the hearts of the two peoples.

China attaches great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Thailand and is ready to enhance coordination with Thailand on bilateral and regional issues.

Premier Wen urged the two nations to join hands to face the common challenges, safeguarding and promoting common interests.

Yingluck said Thailand is deeply grateful to the Chinese government and people for the timely and selfless aid they have provided at a time when her country is suffering the most disastrous flooding in its modern history. China's assistance demonstrated the fraternity between the two nations and would be a great encouragement for the Thai people to fight the floods.

As a close neighbor, Thailand is willing to strengthen cooperation and friendly exchanges with China in all fields, in order to promote common development and prosperity.

She also grieved over the recent murder of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River and promised that the Thai government will find the truth of the tragedy and hold the killers accountable.

The Thai leader also said Thailand is willing to work with China and other countries to enhance navigation security on the Mekong River.

Wen asked the Thai government for a speedy trial of the case and punish the criminals according to law. He also called for the establishment of a joint law enforcement and security mechanism between China, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, so as to maintain the navigation order on the Mekong River.