On 17 November 2023, H.E. Mr. Worawoot Pongprapapant, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affairs, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain (for Political Affairs), during his visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain as the Head of Delegation to attend the IISS Manama Dialogue: 19th Regional Security Summit during 17-19 November 2023.

During the meeting, the Director-General reiterated the extraordinary bond of friendship between the two sides and wished that both sides could exchange of the high-level visits in the near future and expressed the Thai side’s readiness to convene the 4th Thai-Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC) in Bangkok on the mutually-agreed date and time to discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in strategic fields. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain (for Political Affairs) expressed his warm welcome to the Director-General upon his visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain and expressed the Bahraini side's readiness to strengthen existing bilateral relations as well as to further promote constructive engagement with ASEAN countries.

The Thai side also expressed appreciation for the Bahrain’s continued support under the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), particular the Strategic Tripartite Development Partnership (STDP), which is Thailand’s initiative to advance cooperation with the OIC and the OIC member countries.

Furthermore, the Thai side also sought Bahrain’s views on regional issues, such as the unrest in Israel and the Gaza Strip, where the Thai side reiterated the government’s priority in seeking all potential coordination to secure the immediate release of the Thai nationals held hostages since the beginning of the situation.

On the same day, the Director-General also held a meeting with Mr. Hamad Sayyar, acting Chief of Directorate of International Organization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. During the discussion, the two sides exchanged views on security issues in the region, particularly on the escalating situation in Israel and Gaza.

On this occasion, the Thai side expressed appreciation to Bahrain’s continued support rendered to Thailand under the OIC and other international frameworks.