Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands pays a courtesy call on Director-General of the Department of European Affairs

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On 14 September 2026, H.E. Mrs. Margriet Leemhuis, Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on Ms. Somrudee Poopornanake, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, on the occasion of assuming her duties in Bangkok.

Both sides discussed preparations for the audience with Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA), with H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand, during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Director-General of the Department of European Affairs also thanked the Dutch side for its continued warm hospitality towards Thai dignitaries.

On the same occasion, both sides discussed the ways to advancing bilateral cooperation, touching on the promotion of Dutch investment in Thailand in advanced technology, including capacity-building for Thai personnel — particularly in the semiconductor sector — as well as cooperation on water management, the transition to environmentally friendly energy, and preparations for the visit to Thailand by Mr. Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, during the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings, to be held from 12–18 October 2026. The two sides also exchanged views on geopolitical issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the conflict in the Middle East.

Thailand and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have enjoyed close and enduring diplomatic relations for more than 422 years. The Netherlands is the top investor in Thailand among European Union member states, and Thailand is among the leading ASEAN investors in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

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