On 21 February 2025, Ambassador Arunrung Phothong Humphreys, Ambassador of Thailand to Sweden, accompanied by Group Captain Putthapong Phalajivin, Defence and Air Attaché, and Mr. Natouch Thammanuruk, Counsellor, visited Kiruna to explore the city’s economic potential and assess opportunities for cooperation with Thailand. Kiruna is Sweden’s most significant mining hub and home to the Esrange Space Center, under the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC).

In the morning, the Ambassador visited Swedish Mining Company (LKAB), the largest underground mine in Europe and the world’s largest underground iron ore mine. LKAB is a key producer of iron ore in Europe. The delegation was briefed on LKAB’s vision and initiatives towards Green Mining and carbon-free steel production (Green Steel), as well as plans to utilize newly discovered rare earth minerals in a sustainable manner that does not negatively impact local communities and indigenous populations.

In the afternoon, the Ambassador visited the Esrange Space Center and held discussions with SSC’s management team and engineers. The delegation was informed about SSC’s advancements and Sweden’s growing role in the space sector. They also explored potential collaboration between Thailand and Sweden in space technology through joint projects and activities between the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) and SSC.