On 22 March 2023, Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, together with H.E. Ambassador Ntombizodwa Msutukazi Lallie, Acting Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, co-chaired the 7th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM 7) between Thailand and South Africa at the Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok. Also present at the meeting were representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture of both sides.
 
On this occasion, both sides discussed ways to further enhance the existing cordial relations between the two countries, including the exchange of high level visits, the review of pending agreements and MOUs, as well as the cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, technical cooperation and public health which Thailand and South Africa have vast potentials. Currently, South Africa is Thailand’s most significant trading partner in Africa and Thailand is South Africa’s most significant trading partner in ASEAN.
 
The South African side agreed to find the way forward to resolve the issue of visas/work permits for Thai chefs and traditional Thai massage therapists and also reassured the Thai side of the protection and safety of the Thai community in South Africa.
 
In addition, both sides agreed to jointly organise activities in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations (since 1995) in 2023.
 
The Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Information also conducted an interview with H.E. Ambassador Ntombizodwa Msutukazi Lallie for the radio programme “From Sahara to Himalayas” to be broadcasted on the MFA’s Saranrom Radio AM 1575 kHz, saranromradio.mfa.go.th website and the Saranrom Radio Facebook page and Youtube channel.