Summary of Weekly Press Briefing by

Director-General of Department of Information/Spokesperson of MFA

Friday 24 January 2025 at 11.30 hrs. at Buakaew Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and MFA FB/TikTok Live

1. Outcomes of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister's participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting

• During 20 - 24 January 2025, through the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s arrangement as Thailand’s lead agency for the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Prime Minister,
  accompanied by Ministers from five ministries, including Foreign Minister Maris, attended the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
• WEF is a major forum that has been influential in setting the global economic direction. Held under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”, the Annual Meeting aimed to foster cooperation in an era where technology, particularly AI, plays a key role, and where conversations included issues of managing the fragile global economy, accelerating the clean energy transition, and addressing economic inequalities.
• At the WEF, the Thai delegation presented the government’s visions and policies, and Thailand’s strengths and potential, with a proactive economic diplomacy focus. Under the concept of “Nourishing the Future for All”, the delegation highlighted Thailand’s readiness to advance towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital age, while enhancing our existing areas of strength, namely 1) food and agricultural technology and innovation 2) Soft Power focused on tourism and wellness industries, and 3) Advanced and sustainable industries.
• During the meeting, the Prime Minister and Ministers also had opportunities to meet with executives from corporations in target sectors, as well as a number of world leaders and heads of international organisations, in line with WEF’s spirit as an open platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue and exchange.
• Also at the WEF Annual Meeting, the Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was signed, marking our first FTA with a European bloc.
• A highlight of this year’s WEF was the ‘Thailand Reception’, at which the Prime Minister gave opening remarks to emphasise the economic and innovative potentials of Thai food. The event was supported by the Thai private sector who are WEF members, and attracted over 700 participants from governments, businesses, civil society and media.

2. Activities to celebrate 'Marriage Equality Day' on 23 January 2025, and preparations for marriage registrations abroad

• Thailand's Marriage Equality Act came into effect yesterday, 23 January 2025, enabling LGBTQ​IA+ people to register their marriage.
• On this occasion, a 'Marriage Equality Day' celebration was organised by the government and civil society sectors at Siam Paragon Shopping Center. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by the Department of Consular Affairs, the Department of International Organizations, and the Department of Information, co-hosted the celebrations and had booths set up to provide information regarding services for Thais who wish to register their marriage abroad, as well as legalization services for related documents. The Ministry also participated in a panel discussion on the topic of “Reality Check: Marriage Equality & Way Forward” to raise awareness of the occasion.
• From today onwards, Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General in countries where local law or custom permit, will provide marriage registration services under this legislative amendment. Some of our Embassies also organised events to celebrate the occasion and to raise awareness of Thailand's role in gender equality. The Royal Thai Embassy in Helsinki, Finland, for example, has organised the Launching of Thai Marriage Equality Act, which was attended by the diplomatic corps, executives of LGBTAQ+ organisations, and various related groups.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always advocated the issue of gender equality on the international arena, including the Human Rights Council (HRC) where Thailand has recently become a member. Thailand has also participated in activities with several groups supporting LGBTAQ+ rights at the United Nations, and joined the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) in 2024.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all involved.

3. Roundtable discussion on "OCA Thailand - Cambodia: Facts and Choices"

• On Tuesday, 28 January 2025, from 2 - 4 pm, the Ministry of Foreign Affaris will be hosting a roundtable discussion titled "OCA Thailand - Cambodia: Facts and Choices." For this roundtable discussion, the Ministry has invited relevant Parliamentary Committee members, from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as the media, to hear opinions, generate discussions and share suggestions on this matter. Experts on international law, energy, and on the 2001 MOU (MOU 2544) will join the discussions.
• Interested parties are welcome to follow the roundtable discussion via the Ministry’s Facebook Live.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Yr2cszkmM/

* * * * *