Thailand Moves to Strengthen Bilateral and Multilateral Relations

In May, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn engaged in a series of high-level diplomatic and economic engagements reinforcing Thailand’s international and regional partnerships. During her first official visit to Vietnam on May 15 - 16, Prime Minister Paetongtarn  and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh elevated both countries relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and committed to boosting bilateral trade to US$25 billion annually. On May 19, Prime Minister Paetongtarn welcomed Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto in Bangkok, where both leaders agreed to upgrade ties to a strategic partnership focused on greater trade, investment, tourism and cooperation in combating cybercrime. Later in the month, Prime Minister Paetongtarn visited UK and Monaco to promote Thailand’s soft power and explore new market opportunities for Thai businesses, including a proposal to host a city-circuit Formula One race in Thailand.

At the recent 46^th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Paetongtarn joined ASEAN leaders in calling for broader economic cooperation and integration of supply chains within the bloc. Prime Minister Paetongtarn stressed the need to utilize the ASEAN FTA to its full potential amidst global trade uncertainties. Thailand is also committed to driving ASEAN’s 2045 vision, focusing on green finance, climate action, clean energy, and digital transition.

On the multilateral front, Thailand hosted the 2025 OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum in Bangkok under the theme, “The OECD and Southeast Asia: Partnership for Prosperity”. Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa highlighted Thailand’s reform efforts toward open markets, sustainable growth and rising to OECD standards as part of the country’s pursuit of OECD membership. Thailand is positioning itself as a strategic bridge between the OECD and Southeast Asia region and will submit an Initial Memorandum in December, 2025, as the entry step with a goal to complete accession by 2030.

Minister Maris also participated in the BRICS Partnership Session in Rio de Janeiro earlier in May, where a series of bilateral meetings took place on the sidelines to reaffirm Thailand’s commitment to the BRICS framework. During these talks, Thailand brought attention to the Thailand-Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) FTA and sought to advance more concrete negotiations on the matter with the EEU bloc, with further dialogue expected at the upcoming BRICS Summit 2025 in July.

Meanwhile, Thailand is also preparing to host the sixth round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union (EU) in Bangkok from June 23 – 27. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan noted the talks are entering a critical phase focused on market access, with four chapters already concluded – transparency, good regulatory practices, customs procedures and trade facilitation, and sustainable food systems. The government aims to finalize the FTA by the end of the year to expand trade, attract investment, and strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness. The EU is Thailand’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$43.5 billion in 2024.