On 9 - 13 September 2024, H.E. Mr. Sorut Sukthaworn, Ambassador attached to the Ministry, led the Thai delegation comprising Mr. Pongprach Makchang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharag, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), and five Thai youth representatives from the Southern Border Provinces (SBPs) to visit Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, and Baku and Quba, Republic of Azerbaijan. The Thai delegation held discussions with government agencies, international organisations and civil societies in both countries, with a view to enhancing understanding on the situation in the SBPs and exchanging experiences on multicultural society in each respective country.

During the visit, the Thai delegation had opportunities to exchange views with represenatives of agencies and organisations in Türkiye and Azerbaijan on three main issues. First, Thailand’s role in the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in meetings with the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. Second, opportunities for the Thai youth to enhance cooperation on the international stage, in a meeting with representatives of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF). Third, enhancement of multicultural society, in a meeting with representatives of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre. In addition, the Thai delegation paid visits to historical and cultural sites including Ayasofia and Bibi-Heybat Mosque in Istanbul, and Heydar Aliyev Center, Jen mironosets baş kafedral kilsəsi, Shirvanshahs Palace in Baku, and Jewish community in Quba.

The Thai delegation shared information on the situation in the SBPs and received insights on the best practices of the Halal standards and the promotion of multicultural society in Türkiye and Azerbaijan, which can be applied to the SBPs development. The Thai youth representatives also learnt first-hand knowledge and experience on multicultural society, which are valuable for the future development of SBPs, especially on the harmonious co-existence of people in divesity.