On 8 August 2016, H.E. Mr. Philip Calvert, Ambassador of Canada to Thailand paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to bid farewell upon the completion of his term (civil service retirement). Both sides discussed Canada’s increasing role in Asia and ASEAN, including the initiation to draft the Term of Reference to start a feasibility study of the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement. Furthermore, the Ambassador drew attention to his future endeavors to strengthen and further promote education cooperation between Thailand and Canada. Upon returning to Canada, he plans to work with the Department of South-East Asian Studies at the University of Victoria, British Columbia.

          In addition, the Ambassador congratulated Thailand on the country’s political progress, after the referendum was held on 7 August 2016, and said that he was delighted to see Thailand moving forward, in accordance with the government’s roadmap and noted that he will closely follow further developments from afar. He also hopes to witness strong Thailand – Canada ties to prosperously grow and mature, especially after the upcoming election in Thailand next year.  Towards the end of the discussion, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Thai side for Thailand’s kind cooperation and assistance extended to him and the Embassy of Canada in Thailand during the past 4 years, particularly that by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador concluded with the request for Thailand’s support of Canada’s candidature for a Seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a Non-Permanent member for the term 2021-2022.

          The partnership between Thailand and Canada has been smooth and friendly for the past 54 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on 8 November 1961. Thailand and Canada continue to relish in enhancing a wide range of cooperation areas, both bilaterally and multilaterally within a constructive and mutually beneficial framework, and foresees plenty of areas with potential for further development. At present, there are approximately 10,000 Canadians residing in Thailand, while 100,000 Canadian tourists travel to Thailand annually.