The Right Honourable Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, paid an official visit to Thailand as a Guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand during 1 – 3 October 2018. This is the first official visit by a New Zealand Foreign Minister in the past 6 years. 

On 2 October 2018, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand held bilateral discussions with H.E. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides welcomed the close and long-standing relations between Thailand and New Zealand, and agreed to expand bilateral trade volume through Thailand – New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership (TNZCEP) which was signed in 2005. The Thai Foreign Minister informed the latter of Thailand’s political development and the implementation of the roadmap, which will lead to general elections in early 2019. In addition, the Foreign Minister discussed about Thailand’s economic potential and business opportunities for foreign investors in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

The Thai side also informed about Thailand’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019, which will emphasise on enhancing connectivity, promoting sustainability, and strengthening close cooperation with dialogue partners, including New Zealand. In this regard, the New Zealand side expressed support to Thailand’s upcoming Chairmanship of ASEAN. Both sides also exchanged views on important regional issues, including relations among major powers, developments in the Korean Peninsula, South China Sea, and Rakhine State.

Later that afternoon, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy call on H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the Government House. Both sides discussed ways to further strengthen Thai – New Zealand relations and cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, education, and tourism. The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of New Zealand to visit Thailand at her convenience.  Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met with H.E. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, to discuss Thailand’s economic policies, regional trends, as well as ways to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, science and technology, education, and human resources development. Both sides hoped that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiation will finalise soon. The Deputy Prime Minister also shared Thailand’s interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to which New Zealand has expressed its willingness to support.