On 21 June 2024, Mrs. Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, co-chaired the 6th Thailand-Spain Political Consultations with Mr. Carlos Moreno Blanco, Director-General for North America, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain. H.E. Mr. Vosita Vorasaph, Ambassador of Thailand to Spain, was also in attendance.

Both sides aimed to deepen cooperation in political affairs, defense and security, trade and investment, agriculture, transportation, innovation, public health, education and culture. They agreed to explore the possibility of concluding an MoU on energy, science, technology and water management, as well as to review the Agreement on Cooperation in Tourism signed in 1987. The Thai side invited the Spanish side to invest in the Landbridge Project and airport infrastructure to elevate regional airports to international airports. Both sides will soon sign the MoU between the Ministry of Transport of Thailand and the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Spain in the field of Infrastructure and Transportation. They agreed to promote high-level visits in 2025 on the occasion of the 155th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In this regard, Mr. Diego Martinez Belio, State Secretary of Foreign and Global Affairs, expressed his readiness to visit Thailand next year.

Director-General Blanco later hosted a working lunch for the Thai delegation to further discuss cooperation on consular affairs, international cooperation, regional and global issues. The Spanish side expressed her readiness to support the Thai-EU FTA and the OECD membership of Thailand. Furthermore, the Thai side requested Spain’s support for visa exemption for Thai passport holders in the Schengen area.

On this occasion, the Thai delegation also participated in the 2nd Spain-Thailand Forum in Madrid to discuss maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, innovation in the field of renewable energies, and the promotion of country’s branding. The delegation visited Acciona Headquarters on energy issues and exchanged views and experiences on foreign policy at the Elcano Royal Institute.