On 8 September 2025, H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with H.E. Mr. Mariano Assanami Sabino Lopes, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing of Timor-Leste, on the occasion of the latter’s study visit to Thailand during 7 - 11 September 2025. Also in attendance were Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs; H.E. Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador of Thailand to Timor-Leste; Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA); and representatives from the Department of East Asian Affairs, as well as the Department of ASEAN Affairs.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste expressed appreciation to Thailand for supporting the study visit, as well as for continued support to Timor-Leste in both economic and social development towards its accession to ASEAN. He also conveyed gratitude for Thailand’s assistance in projects to improve the quality of life of children and youth in line with the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (the School Lunch Project), as well as in the development of human resources for Timor-Leste’s economic and social advancement.

In addition, the Timorese side expressed its desire to learn from Thailand, particularly in the areas of agriculture, such as livestock, aquaculture, and fisheries, as well as in tourism, and the oil and natural gas industry, all of which are sectors that Timor-Leste is prioritizing for development to stimulate economic growth. The Secretary to the Minister affirmed Thailand’s readiness to support the enhancement of Timor-Leste’s capacities in order to ensure a smooth and effective accession process to ASEAN, as well as to promote cooperation in various fields of economic and social development with a view to narrowing the development gap among ASEAN Member States and advancing sustainable development.