On 19 October 2020, Mr. Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand. Both sides exchanged views on the 70-year partnership between Thailand and the World Bank and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation, especially in the areas of human capital development, connectivity, and sustainable development.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s continued support to Thailand over the years, including cooperation on human capital development and connectivity during Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also shared Thailand’s infrastructure plan to promote greater connectivity within the region through major upgrades of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to drive investment and generate economic growth in the sub-region. In this regard, Mr. Diop commended Thailand’s vision of a shared prosperity in the region and reaffirmed the World Bank’s readiness to continue its support in regional development initiatives, including on connectivity, human capital development, and efficient resources management. The World Bank expressed its interest to support Thailand’s BIMSTEC Chair during 2021-2022 and APEC host in 2022.

Thailand became a member of the World Bank on 3 May 1949. Over the past 70 years, the relationship between Thailand and the World Bank has evolved from traditional lender – borrower into a development partnership focusing on exchanging knowledge and providing policy recommendations related to the country’s development agenda. Under the Thailand – World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework 2019 - 2022, the World Bank Group aims to support Thailand’s transformation towards an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable economy.