On 11 December 2022, H.E. Mr. Saif Abdulla Mohammed Khalfan Alshamisi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Thailand, paid a farewell call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, on the completion of almost eight years of his tour of duty in Thailand. After the meeting, DPM/FM Don also hosted a luncheon in honor of H.E. the Ambassador of the UAE.

At the meeting, DPM/FM Don stressed the importance of the UAE as the most important economic partner of Thailand which is ranked No.1 in the Middle East and enjoyed a high volume of bilateral trade amounting to US$20 billion in 2022. He commended the Ambassador’s active role in promoting closer bilateral relations in all areas during the eight years of his tenure and reiterated that both sides should maintain the positive momentum to further strengthen Thai - Emirati relations in the area of mutual interests, particularly tourism, medical treatment, food and energy security, and economic linkage between Thailand and the UAE.

The UAE Ambassador emphasized the importance of business and trade relations between the two countries and Thailand’s economic potential of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and the Halal hub in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand. Both sides appreciated the longstanding relationship between the two countries, especially the successful Joint Commission meetings and the exchanges of high-level visits during his ambassadorship.

Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of ASEAN in finding practical solutions to the situation in Myanmar and promoting the dynamic of the ASEAN - GCC cooperation based on consultation and close cooperation.