On 26 June – 2 July 2022, H.E. Mr. Yousef Al-Dobeay, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) led an OIC delegation on a working visit to Thailand as the guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to prepare for the upcoming visit to Thailand of the OIC Secretary-General, and to witness firsthand the situation of the Muslim communities in the three Southern Border Provinces (SBPs) of Thailand as part of the OIC mission to preserve Islamic values and solidarity among member and observer states.

On 27 June 2022, the OIC Assistant Secretary-General paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to enhance cooperation between Thailand and the OIC. In honour of His Excellency the OIC Assistant Secretary-General, H.E. Mr.Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, hosted a working dinner for the delegation.

On 28 June 2022, the OIC Delegation visited the Halal Science Center, Chulalongkorn University, to discuss ways and means to promote Halal products among OIC member states. On the cultural and religious front, the OIC delegation paid a courtesy call on the representative of Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, had a discussion with a committee of the Foundation of Islamic Centre of Thailand, and also visited the Grand Palace to observe the exquisite Thai architecture.

During 29 - 30 June 2022, the delegation visited the Southern Border Provinces namely: Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, where they met and interacted with diverse groups of local people from various backgrounds—Muslim, Buddhist, Melayu and Thai—who live harmoniously side by side and exchanged views with various government agencies working on the SBPs’ social and economic development as well as security. The delegation also visited Wat Mujalinthavapi Viharn, the Pattani Central Mosque, Tadika (Islamic moral and ethics training centre for children), Fatoni University, Princess of Naradhiwas University, the 300-year-old Mosque (Wadil-Husen Mosque), the Islamic Heritage Museum and the Holy Quran Learning Centre in Narathiwat, and the coconut processing factory that helps local community.

Throughout the visit, the delegates expressed their appreciation for the Thai Government’s openness and its efforts to take care of its Muslim citizens who enjoy the right to freedom of religion. The delegation also commended the Thai Government’s policy on economic and social development and education for the SBPs and expressed its readiness to support the Government’s inclusive dialogue with various stakeholders to further enhance the economic and social development of the region.

Thailand has been an observer in the OIC since 1998. Thailand has prioritized cooperation and engagement with the OIC and its members in various areas of mutual interest over the last two decades, including trade and investment, public health, agriculture, education, and food security.