On 26 April 2018, H.E. Mr. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

          The Deputy Foreign Minister congratulated the Ambassador of Pakistan on his assumption of duty. The two sides discussed potential areas of cooperation and agreed to revive and fully utilize the existing bilateral mechanisms, especially the 2nd Political Consultations between Thailand and Pakistan which will be hosted by Thailand to discuss various issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Political Consultations would also provide an opportunity for both sides to prepare the groundwork for the 3rd Thailand - Pakistan Joint Economic Commission Meeting to be hosted subsequently by Pakistan. Both sides agreed to push forward the conclusion of Thailand - Pakistan FTA negotiations. They also exchanged views on ways to strengthen their cooperation in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, under which Pakistan commends and supports the Thai Government’s policies toward the Southern Border Provinces. Both sides shared their views on enhancing people-to-people ties through tourism by promoting Taxila, as part of Buddhist circuit, to the Thai public. In addition, they agreed to establish a cooperation on training program for officials of the foreign ministries of the two countries. 

          Thailand and Pakistan have enjoyed close and cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1951. Both sides have exchanged high-level visits and enhanced close cooperation in the areas of politics and security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people relations. Currently, Pakistan is Thailand’s second largest trading partner in South Asia while Thailand is one of the top destinations for Pakistani tourists with over 80,000 Pakistani visiting Thailand in 2017.