On 26 May 2023, H.E. Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the Third Political Consultations (PC) between Thailand and Brazil, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil in Brasília. The Brazilian side was co-chaired by H.E. Ambassador Eduardo Paes Saboia, Secretary of Asia and the Pacific.

The two sides took stock of long-standing friendships and existing multifaceted partnerships since the second PC in Bangkok. Both saw great opportunities and potential in expanding numerous areas of cooperation and initiatives of common interests to accelerate post-pandemic recovery.

The aspects of bilateral cooperation included political cooperation, trade, investment, technical and agricultural cooperation, tourism, culture, education, sport, energy, defense, as well as cooperation between diplomatic academies. Other priority areas discussed comprised regional development and multilateral frameworks and reforms, as well as consular matters. 
 
On political matters, both sides concurred that the resumption of high-level visits and the celebration of the 65th anniversary of Thai-Brazilian diplomatic relations in 2024 through cultural activities would strengthen both government-to-government and people-to-people ties. At the same time, both agreed to work towards increasing bilateral trade volume and value and tackle trade imbalances and other barriers, including logistical challenges, while two-way investment would continue to be promoted, particularly in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) where potential Thai-Brazilian joint ventures could be established.

Potential areas of investment cooperation focused on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) related industries which are indispensable for mitigating climate change, namely, renewable energy (notably ethanol), bio-based plastics, electronic vehicles, and other S-curve industries.

Furthermore, both sides agreed that South-South cooperation is imperative to deepening technical cooperation and aimed to work towards materializing key initiatives, whilst views on agricultural cooperation and market access, including necessary rules and regulations on imports and exports, as well as IUU fishing were exchanged.

Other initiatives on creative industry and people-to-people ties that would enhance the visibility of Thailand in Brazil, and vice versa. Increased people connectivity entailed the promotion of tourism, notably eco-tourism; cultural exchanges, including food, fashion, festival, fighting and films; academic and educational exchanges; sport, notably Muay Thai, football and Sepak Takraw. Information on consular matters were additionally exchanged to resolve and prevent transnationally organized crimes. 

Moreover, both sides exchanged their perspectives on regional development. As the country coordinator for ASEAN-MERCOSUR relations in 2023, Thailand would strive to work with Brazil, which would resume the pro tempore presidency of MERCOSUR in the latter half of the same year, towards revitalising ASEAN-MERCOSUR cooperation.

Both also expressed their support to reform and modernize multilateral frameworks to enhance the efficacy and functionality of important organisations, such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and BRICS. Other multilateral matters discussed encompassed the adoption of Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy at the APEC 2022 in Bangkok; the expansion of RCEP membership; and the opportunity for joining the CPTPP.

The PC concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Rio Branco Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil on Mutual Cooperation for the Training of Diplomats. This MOU not only brings the diplomatic academies closer but also helps promote the exchanges of information concerning diplomatic programmes of study and research, courses, seminars and other academic, educational and training activities between the two countries.

All in all, the Third PC mechanism allowed both sides to take stock of the bilateral relations, with a view to deepen the bonds of friendship and long-standing partnership to enhance multi-dimensional collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels.