Foreign relations of Thailand

The foreign relations of Thailand are handled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

Thailand participates fully in international and regional organizations. It has developed increasingly close ties with other ASEAN members—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and Vietnam—whose foreign and economic ministers hold annual meetings. Regional cooperation is progressing in economic, trade, banking, political, and cultural matters. In 2003, Thailand served as APEC host. Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, served as Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 2005 until 31 August 2013. In 2005 Thailand attended the inaugural East Asia Summit.

In recent years, Thailand has taken an increasingly active role on the international stage. When East Timor gained independence from Indonesia, Thailand, for the first time in its history, contributed troops to the international peacekeeping effort. Its troops remain there today as part of a UN peacekeeping force. As part of its effort to increase international ties, Thailand has reached out to such regional organizations as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Thailand has contributed troops to reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Disputes

Parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997; parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined; sporadic conflict with Burma over alignment of border.

Illicit drugs

A minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money laundering center; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamines and heroin.

Asia

Royal Thai Embassy in Helsinki flying the Asean flag as well as own national flag.

Bangladesh

Main article: Bangladesh-Thailand relations

Relations are considered close and cordial and have made strides to improve trade and investment between the two countries. Diplomatic relations were established on 5 October 1972 and Thailand opened its embassy in 1974 followed by Bangladesh setting up their own in Bangkok in the following year. The first visit between the two countries was President Ziaur Rahman's visit to Thailand in 1979 followed by Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda in 1983. Other Heads of States like Ershad visited in 1985, 1988 and 1990 and Thaksin Shinawatra in July and December 2002 and January 2004. Thailand is a key country in Bangladesh's "Look East" policy and relations have begun to increase and diversify into different areas.

They seek not to intervene in each other's internal matters as shown by their response to the events occurring in their own respective countries in 2006 such as the 2006 Thai coup d'état and 2006–08 Bangladeshi political crisis. Both have considerable cooperation in summits organised by BIMSTEC and the ASEAN regional forum. Upper class and upper middle class Bangladeshis often go to Thailand for medical treatment and operations that the country's medical infrastructure cannot provide.

Brunei

Main article: Brunei–Thailand relations

Brunei has an embassy in Bangkok, and Thailand has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. The relations have always been close and cordial.

Cambodia

Main article: Cambodia–Thailand relations

See also: Cambodian–Thai border dispute

Parts of Cambodia's border with Thailand are indefinite, and the maritime boundary with Thailand is not clearly defined. On 5 November 2009 Thailand recalled its ambassador from Cambodia in protest of the Cambodian government's appointment of Thai ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that this was "the first diplomatic retaliation measure" against the appointment. He also said that Cambodia was interfering in Thai internal affairs and as a result bi-lateral co-operation agreements would be reviewed. The Cambodian government has stated that it would refuse any extradition request from Thailand for Thaksin as it considered him to be a victim of political persecution.

In the months leading up to the Cambodian decision, troops from both nations had clashed over territory claimed by both countries immediately adjacent to Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple, leading to a deterioration in relations. At 8:30 pm local time on 5 November Cambodia announced that it was withdrawing their ambassador from Thailand as a retaliatory measure. Sok An, a member of the Council of Ministers and Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, said that the appointment of Thaksin is a decision internal to Cambodia and that it "conforms to international practice". The mutual withdrawal of ambassadors is the most severe diplomatic action to have occurred between the two countries.

China

Main article: China–Thailand relations

Further information: Thai Chinese

Thailand established diplomatic relations with the PRC on 1 July 1975.

For an evaluation of Sino-Siamese relations, see Siamese Inter-State Relations in the Late Nineteenth Century: From An Asian Regional Perspective.

India

Main article: India–Thailand relations

Diplomatic relations between India and Thailand were established in 1947, soon after India gained independence. Thailand holds three embassies in India: in Mumbai, in New Delhi, and in Calcutta. India also holds three embassies in Thailand: in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and A Muang.

The end of the Cold War led to a significant enhancement in the substance and pace of bilateral interactions. Indian Look East policy from 1993 and Thailand's Look West policy since 1996 set the stage for a substantive consolidation of bilateral relations. The past few years since 2001 have witnessed growing warmth, increasing economic and commercial links, exchange of high-level visits on both sides, and the signing of a large number of Agreements leading to a further intensification of relations. Thailand and India are cooperating in various multilateral fora like India's dialogue partnership with ASEAN, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the East Asia Summit, the sub-regional grouping BIMSTEC involving Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, and trilateral transport linkages with Thailand, Myanmar and India. India is a member of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) initiated by Thailand in 2002 and of the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC), a group of six countries.

Indonesia

Main article: Indonesia–Thailand relations

Indonesia and Thailand are viewed as natural ally. Both nations officially established diplomatic ties in 1950 and have enjoyed a cordial bilateral relationship ever since. Both countries has established embassies in each capitals, Indonesia has their embassy in Bangkok and consulate in Songkhla, while Thailand has their embassy in Jakarta. High rank stately visits has been conducted for years. Both nations are the founders of ASEAN and the members of Non-Aligned Movement and APEC. Indonesia is also appointed as observer in Cambodian–Thai border dispute.

Israel

Main article: Israel–Thailand relations

Israel and Thailand have had official relations since June 1954. The Israeli embassy in Bangkok was established in 1958. Since 1996, Thailand has had an embassy in Tel Aviv. After the floods in 2011, Israel sent water management experts to Thailand. Princess Chulabhorn Mahidal is involved in advancing scientific cooperation between the two countries. The Thai ambassador to Israel is Jukr Boon-Long.

Japan

Main article: Japan–Thailand relations

Abhisit with Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama on 8 November 2009, in Tokyo

Japan has become a key trading partner and foreign investor for Thailand. Japan is Thailand's largest supplier, followed by the United States. Since 2005, the rapid ramp-up in export of automobiles of Japanese makes (esp. Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu) has helped to dramatically improve the trade balance, with over 1 million cars produced last year. As such, Thailand has joined the ranks of the world's top ten automobile exporting nations. In 2007, a Japan–Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement was signed, aiming at free trade between the two countries after a transition period of 10 years.

Laos

Main article: Laos–Thailand relations

In some respects, Thailand can be seen as a greater threat to Laos's independence than Vietnam because of its closer cultural affinity, its easier access, and its control over the railroad and highway routes to the sea. The Mekong River, which both sides have an interest in making a "river of true peace and friendship" — as their respective prime ministers called for in 1976 – also provides a north–south artery during the rainy season.

Malaysia

Main article: Malaysia–Thailand relations

See also: Malaysia–Thailand border

Thailand has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and consulate-general offices in George Town and Kota Bharu. Malaysia maintains an embassy in Bangkok. Recently, Thai-Malay relations have soured considerably due to the ethnically Malay Pattani separatists in three southern provinces of Thailand. There have been claims by some Thai politicians that certain parties in Malaysia has taken an interest in the cause of their opponents in the war, which is vehemently disputed by the latter.

Burma

Main article: Myanmar–Thailand relations

Pakistan

Main article: Pakistan-Thailand relations

In August 2013, the Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited Pakistan in the first visit in a decade.

Palestine

Main article: Palestine-Thailand relations

Thailand officially recognised Palestine as an independent state on 18 January 2012.

Philippines

Main article: Philippines–Thailand relations

The Thailand-Philippines relations continues to be warm and friendly. Formal Relations with Thailand was established 14 June 1949. Thailand is one of the Philippines major trade partners and one of the Philippines' source of rice through Thai exports. Bilateral Relations continues to be strengthen through talks and agreements on economic, security and cultural matters including concerns on Rice trade, fight on drugs and human trafficking.

Saudi Arabia

Main article: Saudi Arabia–Thailand relations

Relations Saudi Arabia and Thailand were established in 1957 and hundreds of thousands of Thais went to Saudi Arabia to work. However, relations have been severely strained for the past 20 years due to fallout from the Blue Diamond Affair. Diplomatic missions were downgraded to chargé d'affaires level and the number of Thai workers in Saudi Arabia plummeted. Saudi Arabia does not issue working visas for Thais and discourages its citizens from visiting the country.

South Korea

Main article: South Korea–Thailand relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1958. The year 2008 is the 50th year of bilateral relations with two nations. During the Korean War, Thailand was the second nation sending troops for supporting South Korea just after the United States. In October 2003, South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun visited Thailand while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra went to Seoul in November 2005. South Korean is the 10th largest trade partner, which is about to reach the scale of 10 billion dollars.

Vietnam

Main article: Thailand–Vietnam relations

Diplomatic relations between the two countries have existed since 1976, and are very friendly both economically and politically nowadays. Yet, relations between the two countries had always been marred by discord, which resulted from bitter rivalry to gain control of the area of what is today Laos and Cambodia.

In the 19th century, Thailand (then known as Siam) had fought a series of wars with the Nguyễn dynasty which then ruled over Vietnam over control of Cambodia. This rivalry will only temporarily subside when French colonists stepped in and gradually building an establishment in Southeast Asia, known as French Indochina.

During the Vietnam War, Thailand was aligned with South Vietnam and the United States and the U Tapao Air Base was used as a base for USAF aircraft. During the Fall of Saigon in 1975, fleeing South Vietnamese pilots arrived at U Tapao before fleeing to other countries.

In 1979, when the Khmer Rouge government in neighbouring Cambodia was toppled, this had raised concerns in Thailand and the Thai government quickly allied itself with the Khmer Rouge, later the CGDK, in fear of Vietnamese expansionism. In fact, Thailand was foremost among the ASEAN, of which it is part of, in opposing the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia.

Cambodian refugees soon stayed at border camps straddling the Thai-Cambodian border, and these camps are often controlled by the Khmer Rouge or the CGDK. In the years that followed, Vietnam launched a series of raids on the camps and Vietnamese troops often penetrated into Thai territory and shelled Thai border villages and towns.

Americas

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Brazil	1959	Further information: Foreign relations of Brazil Brazil is the main trading partner of Thailand in Latin America. Brazil has an embassy in Bangkok. Thailand has an embassy in Brasília and consulates-general in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Canada		Further information: Foreign relations of Canada Canada has an embassy in Bangkok and a consulate in Chiang Mai. Thailand has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Toronto and Vancouver.
Mexico	28 August 1975	Main article: Mexico–Thailand relations Mexico has an embassy in Bangkok. Thailand has an embassy in Mexico City.
Peru		In 2009, Thailand and Peru signed a free trade agreement calling for elimination of tariffs on 70% of 5,000 items listed in the agreement. Thailand imports tin and fish from Peru. Peru imports auto parts, electrical appliances, and clothes from Thailand. Peru has an embassy in Bangkok. Thailand has an embassy in Lima.
United States	1833	Main article: Thailand–United States relations Pimpen Vejjajiva, Michelle Obama, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and U.S. President Barack Obama on 23 September 2009, in New York Thailand has had relations with the United States since 1833. In 2003, the United States designated Thailand as a major non-NATO ally, which grants Thailand many financial and military benefits derived from the United States. Thailand has an embassy in Washington, DC and consulates-general in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. United States has an embassy in Bangkok and a consulate-general in Chiang Mai.

Europe

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	1992	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1992 by protocol. Armenia has an honorary consulate in Bangkok. Thailand is represented in Armenia through its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
Bulgaria	1974-04-10	Since 1975, Bulgaria has an embassy in Bangkok. Thailand has an honorary consulate in Sofia.
Croatia	1992-09-09	Croatia is represented in Thailand through its embassy in Jakarta (Indonesia) and through an honorary consulate in Bangkok. Thailand is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary) and through an honorary consulate in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Thailand Cyprus-Thailand relations
Cyprus		Cyprus-Thailand relations Cyprus is represented in Thailand through its embassy in New Delhi, India. Thailand is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Rome, Italy.
Denmark		See Denmark–Thailand relations
Estonia	22 October 1921	See Foreign relations of Estonia Thailand (then Siam) first recognised Estonia on 22 October 1921. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1992. Thailand is represented in Estonia through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden). Estonia is represented in Thailand through its consulates in Bangkok and Phuket.
France		See France–Thailand relations France-Thailand relations cover a period from the 16th century until modern times.
Germany	1862-02-17	Flags of Thailand, Germany and Bavaria for the visit of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Munich 2012 Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Siam and Prussia were established on 17 February 1862. The Siamese government declared war on Germany in August 1917. During World War II, the Thai government was in alliance with the German and Japanese governments. Thailand has an embassy in Berlin, a general consul in Frankfurt and honary consuls in Essen, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart Germany has an embassy in Bangkok and honorar consuls in Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket
Greece	1958-05-26	The Greek Embassy in Bangkok was opened in November 1989. Thailand has an embassy in Athens. Greek Ministry of Foreign Affaires about relations with Thailand Thai deputy premier, UN sec. gen. candidate, meets with premier Karamanlis, FM
Hungary	1973-10-24	Since 1978, Hungary has an embassy in Bangkok and an honorary consulate in Pattaya. Since 1989, Thailand has an embassy in Budapest. Thailand has also a commercial office in Budapest.
Kosovo	2013-11-22	See Kosovo–Thailand relations Thailand recognised the Republic of Kosovo as indipendente state on 24 September 2013. Both counties established diplomatic relations on 22 November 2013. Kosovo will open a embassy in Bangkok.
Netherlands		1608 embassy to the Dutch Republic resulted in a treaty being concluded between the Republic and the kingdom of Siam in 1617. Current relations with the Netherlands requires expansion.
Romania		Romania has an embassy in Bangkok and an honorary consulate in Pattaya. Thailand has an embassy in Bucharest.
Russia		See Russia–Thailand relations President Putin with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before the start of the APEC Summit in 2003 The Soviet Union and Thailand established diplomatic relations with Thailand on 12 March 1941; Thailand recognised Russian Federation as the successor to Soviet Union on 28 December 1991. Russia has an embassy in Bangkok and two honorary consulates in Phuket and Pattaya. Thailand has an embassy in Moscow and two honorary consulates in Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok.
Sweden	1883	Flags of Sweden and Thailand In 1868 an agreement on eternal friendship between Sweden and Thailand was signed. In 1883 formalised diplomatic relations were established. Thailand has an embassy in Stockholm. Sweden has an embassy in Bangkok and honorary consulates in Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin.
Ukraine	1992-05-06	Thailand is represented in Ukraine through its embassy in Moscow (Russia). Ukraine has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Bangkok.
United Kingdom	1826-02-24	Thailand is represented in the United Kingdom through the Royal Thai Embassy in London (สถานเอกอัครราชทูตไทย ณ กรุงลอนดอน). British interests in Thailand are represented through the British Embassy on Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan in Bangkok British relations with Thailand date back to 1612, when the East India Company ship The Globe arrived in Siam carrying a letter from King James I for the Siamese king. Conflicts with the East India Company during the reign of Ayutthayan King Narai resulted in the Siam–England war of 1687, after which the English were banned from Siam. After Burma lost the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–26) relations opened between the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Siam and the United Kingdom with a treaty of alliance in February 1826 and another treaty in June negotiated by East India Company emissary Henry Burney. This was followed by the Bowring Treaty of 1855 to liberalise trade. In 1893, Lord Lansdowne of the British Raj finalized the border between Burma and Siam; the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 then dissected the northern Malay states. In 1917 the modern Siamese kingdom declared war on Germany during World War I, which secured it a seat at the Versailles Peace Conference. Foreign Minister Devawongse Varopakarn used this as an opportunity to argue for the repeal of the 19th century treaties and restoration of full Siamese sovereignty. While Britain and France delayed until 1925, the United States obliged in 1920. Following the outbreak of World War II, relations with Britain, France and the United States deteriorated rapidly – though former Queen Rambai Barni was nominal head of the Seri Thai resistance movement in Great Britain. Japan allowed Thailand to resume sovereignty over the sultanates of northern Malaya that had been lost in the 1909 treaty with Britain, and to invade and annex the Shan States in northern Burma. After the Japanese surrender, Allied military responsibility for Thailand fell to the British, who favoured treating the kingdom as a defeated enemy. Americans, however, supported Thailand's new government; during the Cold War relations with the United Kingdom took a back seat to those with the United States.

Oceania

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Australia		Main article: Australia–Thailand relations Australia has an embassy in Bangkok. Thailand has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate-general in Sydney. Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement
New Zealand		New Zealand has an embassy in Bangkok. Thailand has an embassy in Wellington.

International organization participation

APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

See also

• List of diplomatic missions of Thailand
• List of diplomatic missions in Thailand

References

• Bhawan Ruangsilp (2007). Dutch East India Company Merchants at the Court of Ayutthaya: Dutch Perceptions of the Thai Kingdom, Ca. 1604-1765. BRILL. ISBN 90-04-15600-3.

External links

• Template:Th icon Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
• Thailand Business News
• Foreign Embassies in Thailand