At the invitation of Her Excellency Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain will graciously pay an Official Visit to Thailand from 18 to 20 April 2013, as Guest of the Royal Thai Government. The invitation was extended during the Prime Minister’s Official Visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain in May 2012.

Thailand and Bahrain established diplomatic relations on 17 January 1977. Since then, the two kingdoms have worked closely together to realize the close and cordial relations that are enjoyed today. This Official Visit of His Majesty the King of Bahrain is therefore a testament to the longstanding and close friendship between the two nations.  It also reflects the shared aspirations to enhance further these strong bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest.

Her Excellency Prime Minister Yingluck is scheduled to have a Royal Audience with His Majesty the King of Bahrain during the visit to discuss means of promoting further cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, food and energy security and education. Cooperation under various multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations (UN), the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), for example, is also expected to be discussed as the two countries play important roles in their respective regions, the development of stronger links between Southeast Asia and the Gulf region, especially through closer cooperation between ASEAN and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), is another important issue where there will be exchange of views.  Following this Royal Audience, the Prime Minister will host an official banquet in honour of His Majesty the King of Bahrain.