On 3 March 2025, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit to the Royal Thai Embassy in Doha, State of Qatar. The visit aimed to receive a briefing on the Embassy’s overall operations and activities, as well as to visit the newly relocated consular section and assess the living conditions and well-being of the Embassy’s officials and staff. The Minister was welcomed by H.E. Mr. Sira Swangsilpa, Ambassador of Thailand to Doha, along with Embassy officials and staff.

During the visit, the Minister was briefed on the Embassy’s efforts to strengthen Thailand-Qatar relations and its various projects and initiatives. These include enhancing cooperation in foreign affairs and security, promoting economic opportunities and capacity building, and facilitating exchanges of innovation and expertise in areas where Thailand excels and aligns with Qatar’s needs including sustainable development, halal science innovation, and the advancement of industrial waste upcycling. Additionally, the Embassy fosters people-to-people exchanges and promotes Thai identity through cultural initiatives, such as an English language skill enhancement program for Thai students in Qatar and Thai language and cultural education programs for Thai children and youth residing in Qatar. These programs have been continuously implemented for over a decade to equip participants with essential skills and deepen their appreciation of Thai culture.

Furthermore, the Minister and his delegation visited the Consular Section of the Royal Thai Embassy in Doha, which relocated to its current premises in May 2024. The Embassy has undertaken improvements to its consular services, processing nearly 15,000 visa applications annually for foreign nationals residing in Qatar traveling to Thailand. In 2024, a total of 43,468 Qatari tourists visited Thailand, primarily for leisure, medical tourism, and healthcare services. The Royal Thai Embassy in Doha is also among the pioneering diplomatic missions in the Middle East to implement the E-Visa system.

Thailand and Qatar will mark the 45th anniversary of their ties in 2025. Over the years, the two nations have maintained close relations at all levels. Qatar is Thailand’s third-largest trading partner in the Middle East. The two countries collaborate in multiple sectors, particularly in food and agricultural security, sustainable development, energy security, innovation, education, tourism, and culture. Additionally, Qatar is Thailand’s second-largest supplier of natural gas, a critical energy source for the country. Qatar holds the world’s third-largest natural gas reserves and ranks 14th globally in oil reserves.

Qatar has played a crucial mediating and coordinating role in facilitating ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, alongside Egypt and the United States. These efforts led to a temporary ceasefire on November 21, 2024, followed by a ceasefire agreement on January 15, 2025, aimed at achieving lasting peace. Moreover, Qatar played a significant role in securing the release of 28 Thai hostages held in Gaza, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).