On 9 February 2023, the Right Honourable Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State for Indo-Pacific at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, met with H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the course of her official visit to Thailand as Guest of Ministry of Foreign Affairs during 8-10 February 2023. The Rt Hon also held a bilateral meeting with M.L. Chayotid Kridakon, Thai Trade Representative and Advisor to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, and also met with Thai parliamentarians.

Both sides stressed the importance of Thailand - United Kingdom strategic partnership that covers all areas of cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen existing cooperation, particularly in economic development, trade and investment, environment and green economy, education, and public health. Both sides also exchanged views on key regional and global issues, including cooperation in the ASEAN framework, situations in Ukraine and Myanmar.

On this occasion, VFM also hosted a luncheon in honour of the Minister of State for Indo-Pacific and the United Kingdom’s delegation.

This bilateral meeting was a major development following the 4th Thailand - United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue (SD) and the 1st Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) hosted by the United Kingdom in London in June last year. During the past two years, high-level representatives of the United Kingdom continuously visited Thailand and other countries in the region based on the United Kingdom’s “Indo-Pacific Tilt” strategy, which demonstrates that the United Kingdom as ASEAN Dialogue Partner attaches much importance to Thailand and ASEAN.