On 28 January 2013, Ms. Robina Patricia Marks, South African Ambassador to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of her assumption of her duties.

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong expressed his satisfaction with the overall bilateral relations, and informed the Ambassador that Thai delegation led by Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs is attending the 2nd Senior Officials Meeting between the two Foreign Ministries on 29 January 2013. The meeting, would discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties in every aspect, as well as activities to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Thailand-South Africa diplomatic relations.

The South African Ambassador thanked the Royal Thai Government for making Africa a priority in its foreign policy, and expressed appreciation for the exchange of high-level bilateral visits, especially Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s upcoming official visit in 2013, the first official visit by a Thai Prime Minister to South Africa. The Ambassador hoped that Prime Minister Yingluck’s visit would strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries, in particular the removal of trade barriers on fruits, and hoped that both Thailand and South Africa would serve as gateways connecting their respective regions in the near future.