On 22-24 November 2023, representatives from the Department of European Affairs attended the Thailand–UK Policy Retreat co-hosted by the Wilton Park, the Asia Foundation, and the British Embassy in Thailand. The Thai delegation was led by H.E.Mr. Kitti Wasinondh, Senator and President of the Thailand-UK Parliamentarians Friendship Group, and the British delegation was led by Lord Vaizey of Didcot, Member of Parliament, President of the UK-ASEAN Business Council. More than 40 delegates from the parliaments, government agencies, private businesses, civil society, think-tanks, academia and media of both sides attended the Retreat.

Both sides discussed and exchanged views on topics of collective interest and shared challenges, for instance, bilateral relations, ASEAN and regional cooperation, global geopolitics, regional security and cooperation, the climate crisis, market access and economic development, all of which, will be included in the draft Roadmap for elevating the bilateral relations to the Thailand-UK Strategic Partnership in 2024.

Thailand and the UK enjoy longstanding historical ties. Their bilateral relations have developed from strength to strength. With the UK’s focus on Thailand and the Indo-Pacific agenda, it is now more than ever that both sides build deeper engagement on priority issues and emerging shared interests.