On 9-10 May 2022, H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and General Warakiat Rattananont, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, attended the inaugural Thailand – U.S. Strategic and Defense Dialogue in Washington D.C. which was held after the 8th Strategic Dialogue between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State and the 7th Defense Strategic Talks between the Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense, on 9 May 2022. The co-chairs of the U.S. side were U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danial Kritenbrink and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner.

The Dialogue discussed ways to enhance Thailand – U.S. strategic partnership in all aspects, ranging from enhancing political and security cooperation, strengthening economic partnership, to deepening people-to-people ties, as well as promoting a peaceful and stable environment conducive to the socio-economic recovery from COVID-19.

Both sides reiterated the importance of the long-standing Thailand – U.S. alliance based on shared values and common interests which have long contributed to peace and prosperity in the region. Leading up to the 190th anniversary of the Thailand – U.S. diplomatic relations in 2023, both sides also discussed how to further strengthen the multi-faceted cooperation, including the setting up of a joint working group to organize a series of joint events and related public engagement activities in promoting people-to-people relations.

The Dialogue highlighted the comprehensive economic partnership between Thailand and the U.S. Both sides deliberated on promoting investment and development cooperation, ranging from climate change, renewable and clean energy, electronic vehicles, digital economy, human security in all aspects, humanitarian assistance to sustainable development. Both sides deliberated on ways to further strengthen cooperation in addressing modern-day non-traditional challenges, such as cyber security, maritime security, counter-terrorism, transnational crimes, health security, and climate crisis.

In addition, both sides exchanged views on the current global challenges and regional strategic landscape as well as promoting cooperation at the sub-regional and regional levels, particularly the ASEAN – U.S. cooperation, and enhancing development cooperation in the Mekong sub-region through the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), and the Mekong – U.S. Partnership (MUSP). The meeting also discussed Thailand’s agenda during its APEC Host Year and on working together to ensure a seamless transition to the U.S. Host Year in 2023, particularly on the agenda of common interest and priorities.

Thailand – U.S. Strategic Dialogue and Defense Strategic Talks are annual meetings which provide platforms to review and enhance Thailand – U.S. strategic partnership in order to better respond to challenges of today and in the future.