On 13 December 2023, H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony of Thailand Mega Fair 2023 at the Arena Riyadh. The event is organized by the Board of Trade of Thailand and Index Creative Village Plc. during 13 – 16 December 2023, with the support of the Royal Thai Embassy to Riyadh, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Investment and the General Authority for Foreign Trade of Saudi Arabia. A number of Saudi and Middle Eastern firms have been interested and participated at the event.

Guests of honour in the opening ceremony include (1) Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, (2) Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, (3) H.E. Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour of Thailand, (4) Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, (5) Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia (MEWA), (6) H.E. Mr. Darm Boontham Ambassador of Thailand to Saudi Arabia, (7) Governor of the General Authority for Foreign Trade (GAFT), (8) Chairman of Federation of Saudi Chambers, (9) Mr. Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Board of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, (10) Chairman of the Saudi-Thai Business Council, as well as Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic corps in Saudi Arabia.

This event is the largest exhibition for Thai premium products and services in Saudi Arabia, with the participation of more than 120 Thai companies, including SMEs, from various sectors including food & beverages, health & wellness, tourism, agriculture, fragrances, jewelry, clean energy, alongside many diverse services. The event provides opportunities for the Thai private sector, especially in target industries, to access consumer markets of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Companies from Thailand has also had a chance to build business-matching networks in the region, as well as expand ways and means for trade, investment, and tourism concurrently.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized that the Thailand Mega Fair 2023 is not just a showcase of our products and services, but a testament to the commitment to forging partnerships between Thailand and Saudi Arabia that align with Thailand’s economic diplomacy policy that stresses on a sustainable "New Growth Path." This path revolves around 3 key dimensions: Green Growth, Innovation-driven Growth, and Community-based Growth. Thailand is pleased to (1) have Saudi Arabia as a key partner to build Thai eco-friendly practices, promote renewable energy sources, and foster a circular economy; (2) collaborate with various Saudi sectors to exchange knowledge and build up on further technological advancement and innovation; and (3) be able to adapt Saudi practices in strengthening communities with rich cultural diversity with Thailand’s inclusive and locally-driven community development.