On 7 April 2016, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand welcomed H.E. Mr. Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, former President of the Republic of Chile (1994 - 2000) and Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Chile for the Asia-Pacific during his visit to Thailand between 6 – 10 April 2016 to promote the utilization of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and Chile.

Both sides agreed to encourage private sectors of both countries to best utilize the Free Trade Agreement which has been in effect since 5 November 2015 and realized the great potential of Thailand and Chile as gateways to each other’s region. The Chilean side also shared her experiences in the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and reaffirmed her support for Thailand to be part of the TPP.   

The former President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs also discussed the Pacific Alliance which comprises Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Chile will assume the Presidency of Pro Tempore of the Pacific Alliance in July 2016 and the Chilean side welcomed Thailand’s readiness and enthusiasm to enhance her relations with the Pacific Alliance as observer of the Pacific Alliance and the ASEAN Coordinator for the promotion of the ASEAN-Pacific Alliance relations in 2016.

Moreover, during the visit, the Former President of Chile met the Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Vice Minister for Commerce and Thai-Chilean Business Council.

Thailand and Chile established their diplomatic relations in 1962. In 2015, the overall bilateral trade stands at USD 894.92 million and Chile is Thailand’s fourth largest trade partner in Latin America.