On 11 September 2016, Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Department of Consular Affairs, and Office of Policy and Planning jointly organised the Meeting of Ambassadors and Consul-General of Thailand to Africa 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Meeting was presided over by H.E. Mr. Chaisiri Anamarn, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and was chaired by Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Meeting was attended by Thai Ambassadors and Consul-General from 8 countries in Africa namely Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Mozambique and Madagascar, as well as representatives from Royal Thai Embassies in France and Italy which oversees Algeria and Libya respectively.  

             The main objective of the meeting is to review and update Thailand’s strategies toward Africa for 2017 – 2020. In addition, the meeting also discussed important issues such as, ways and means to promote partnership for development - using His Majesty’s Sufficiency Economy - with African countries, trade and investment, policy on consular affairs, as well as other relevant issues. 

             The participants were also briefed on African Foreign Policies by representative from the South African Institute of International Affairs and discussed with Thai private companies in Africa, namely PTT Exploration and Production, Minor Group and the Cape Thai Restaurant Holdings. 

              After an intensive discussion, the Meeting was successfully concluded whereby all recommendations will be taken into consideration with a view to improve and update Thai foreign policy toward Africa in accordance with “Inclusive Diplomacy” for the mutual benefit of both Thai and African’s peoples.