On 17 – 18 January 2024, H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended bilateral discussions between H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister, and 6 individuals on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2024, as follows:

(1) A bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and Ms. Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation (17 January), during which the President expressed hope to sign the Thailand-EFTA FTA within this year, while the Prime Minister expressed appreciation about the e-bus project and stressed readiness to further the cooperation. (Deputy Prime Minister attended)

(2) A bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and Professor Klaus Schwab, WEF Founder and Executive Chairman (17 January), during which the Prime Minister stressed that Thailand is now open for business and he hopes to be invited to the WEF next year, because the WEF encourages diverse interactions between different sectors. The WEF President welcomes Thailand and informed that he will visit Thailand and ASEAN in September this year. (Deputy Prime Minister and Vice Minister attended)

(3) A bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and Mr. Tony Blair, Chief Executive Office of the Tony Blair Institute of Global Change and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (17 January), during which the Prime Minister was briefed on the work of the Institute in providing policy recommendations to various government and the public sector in dealing with global challenges such as climate change and transition to a green economy. The Prime Minister expressed his keen interest and requested the Institute to coordinate with the Thai Government in order to come up with a list of recommendations for consideration. (Deputy Prime Minister and Vice Minister attended)

(4) A bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and H.E. Mr. Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium (17 January), during which both sides discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional situations. The Prime Minister asked for the Belgian side’s support on the Thailand-EU FTA negotiations and Schengen visa exemption for ordinary Thai passport holders. (Vice Minister attended)

(5) A bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and of Samdech Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia (17 January), during which both sides agreed to jointly resolve regional PM 2.5 issues. The Prime Minister of Cambodia looks forward to his visit to Thailand on 7 February and ready to discuss important matters, including witnessing the signing of agreements on cross border trade and technical cooperation. He also informed that Samdech Hun Sen, the former Prime Minister of Cambodia, plans to visit Thailand on 17 February. (Vice Minister attended)

(6) A bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and H.E. Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (18 January), during which both sides agreed to expedite the Thailand-EU FTA negotiations, while the Prime Minister emphasized ASEAN’s economic capacity and as a one destination. He also expressed hope to see European businesses invest more in Thailand, in particular electric vehicles. Both sides also exchanged views on energy usage and regional situations. (Vice Minister attended)