On 11 November 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the Meeting of Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General in the Americas, chaired by H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. In attendance were Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Eksiri Pintaruchi, Thai Ambassadors, and Consuls-General in the Americas, together with heads of relevant Team Thailand offices. This was the first meeting for the Prime Minister to give policy directives for the region.   

The Foreign Minister emphasized driving foreign policy that delivers tangible benefits to the  Thai people in accordance with the Government’s people-centered policy agenda, while also enhancing Thailand’s active role on the global stage.  The Minister reiterated the importance of the Americas to Thailand’s interests in the political, economic, and social spheres. He instructed the Ambassadors, Consuls-General, and heads of Team Thailand offices to work together with an integrated approach and prioritize promoting economic cooperation throughout the value chains.     

On this occasion, the Prime Minister underlined policy directives that placed people at the center, and how this is reflected through advancing proactive diplomacy, particularly in enhancing economic cooperation, confidence building, investment promotion, and supporting business matching for start-ups, as well as fostering soft power, which will benefit tourism. The Prime Minsiter also highlighted international cooperation to address common challenges such as the issues of PM 2.5 and online scams. 

In addition, the Prime Minister reiterated the important policy of promoting the well-being of the Thai communities abroad, especially in the United States which is home to the largest Thai community overseas.  The Prime Minister underscored the need to strengthen the Thai communities both at home and abroad, including supporting educational opportunities abroad in areas such as AI, robotics, and space, in tandem with promoting opportunities in the country to incentivize Thai professionals overseas to return and contribute to the country’s development.

The meeting discussed important developments in the Americas, especially the outcome of the U.S. elections and the implications, as well as Thailand’s priorities in the region. These include strengthening high-level engagements with regional countries, scaling up economic opportunities and two-way trade and investment, especially in industries of the future, digital economy, clean energy, green economy, and developing an ecosystem to attract foreign investment. Also highlighted was promoting soft power - both traditional and those related to creative economy.  Team Thailand in the Americas will now forge these priorities taking an integrated and coordinated approach.