Summary of the Weekly Press Briefing
by the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson
on 3 September 2026 at 14:00 hrs.
MFA Press Conference Room

1. Outcomes of the official visit of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to Nigeria and Ethiopia

• On 25 - 28 August 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit to Nigeria and Ethiopia, marking his first-ever official visit to Africa since assuming office.
• The objectives of the visit were two-fold:
  (1) to elevate Thailand’s relations with Africa under the Thailand - Africa Initiative (TAI) across its 4 cooperation pillars - namely the political and economic cooperation pillars and in the areas of development and global strategic cooperation.
  (2) to drive Economic Diplomacy, with the Deputy Prime Minister leading a delegation of the Thai private sector to explore economic opportunities and strengthen business networks in Nigeria and Ethiopia, both being key markets with high potential in Africa.

• During the visit to Nigeria in Abuja on 25 – 26 August 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, met with H.E. Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, and with Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, as well as exchanged views with academics from the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) on approaches to strengthening cooperation between Thailand and Africa.
• Thereafter, the Deputy Prime Minister paid a visit to Lagos on 27 August 2026, where he opened a Lunch Talk to advance development cooperation between Thailand and Nigeria and delivered opening remarks at the “Thailand - Nigeria Business Forum.”
• During the visit to Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on 28 August 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Taye Atske Selassie, President of Ethiopia, met with H.E. Mr. Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, as well as delivered a keynote address at a reception to relaunch the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI) to members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the public, private and other sectors in Addis Ababa.
• Throughout the discussions across his visits to both countries, the Deputy Prime Minister advanced (1) cooperation under the 4 key pillars of the Thailand-Africa Initiative; (2) Economic diplomacy, particularly through expanding collaboration between the private sectors; and, (3) South-South Cooperation, given the significant potential and roles of Nigeria and Ethiopia in Africa. Thailand aims to strengthen these linkages and build partnerships to advance issues of shared interest in the context of the dynamic and evolving global landscape.
• The Deputy Prime Minister also announced plans to open a Thai Embassy in Addis Ababa, which is host to many international organizations, including the African Union (AU).
• Concrete outcomes of this official visit to Africa comprised 5 signed documents, including Memorandums of Understanding, which covered the promotion of technical cooperation with the Foreign Ministry of Nigeria, the promotion of development cooperation between educational institutions in Thailand and Nigeria, the establishment of a political consultation mechanism with Ethiopia, and the promotion of business cooperation between the Thai and Ethiopian Chambers of Commerce.
• In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister assigned H.E. Mr. Attayuth Srisamoot, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his capacity as Special Envoy, to deliver opening remarks at the business forum “Thailand - Ethiopia: Building Business Bridges,” aimed at promoting business networking in Ethiopia, as well as to present a contribution of 30,000 US Dollars from the Thai Government to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

2. Outcomes of the visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore to Thailand to attend the 5th Thailand - Singapore Leaders’ Retreat

• On 2 September 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister participated in the 5th Thailand - Singapore Leaders’ Retreat between H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister, and H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore. The meeting marked the first Leaders’ Retreat in 11 years since 2015, and aimed to provide an opportunity for the two leaders to jointly set the direction of Thailand - Singapore cooperation in line with the rapidly changing global landscape.
• During the Retreat, both sides discussed the direction of a forward-looking strategic partnership in four areas, namely:
  (1) strengthening a sustainable green partnership, particularly in promoting energy security, the ASEAN Power Grid, investment in low-carbon energy, green technology and finance, and cooperation on carbon credits;
  (2) building a connected and resilient economy by promoting trade and investment in high-tech industries, developing Thailand’s human resources to meet the needs of future industries, strengthening financial and capital market connectivity, enhancing cooperation on food security, and advancing the digital economy at both the bilateral and multilateral levels;
  (3) enhancing defence and security cooperation, especially cybersecurity, combating online scam networks, strengthening joint military exercises, and cooperation in defence industries; and,
  (4) closer coordination on regional strategic issues.
• Both sides also exchanged views on strengthening ASEAN during the consecutive ASEAN Chairships of Singapore and Thailand, with Singapore assuming the Chairship in 2027 and Thailand in 2028.
• Outcomes of the visit include:
  (1) Issuance of a Joint Statement of the Thailand – Singapore “Forward-Looking Strategic Partnership”; and,
  (2) Exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Social and Family Development of the Republic of Singapore.
• In addition, both sides announced their intention to conclude four additional cooperation documents covering (1) the digital economy, including artificial intelligence; (2) combating transnational crime and online scams; (3) food security; and, (4) supply chain resilience.
• On the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister hosted a working lunch in honor of H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, to discuss the future direction of Thailand - Singapore relations and cooperation within the ASEAN framework during the Chairships of Singapore and Thailand in 2027 and 2028, respectively, especially in the areas of digital economy, energy security and combatting online scams. They also exchanged views on key regional and global issues.
• Thailand will also host the Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP) and the Singapore – Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) Meeting to further follow up on the outcomes of this Retreat.

3. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to pay a working visit to Malaysia

• The Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to pay a working visit to Malaysia on 6 – 7 September 2026. The visit will follow up on and advance issues discussed by the leaders of the two countries during the Prime Minister’s official visit to Malaysia on 9 – 10 July 2026, particularly on border security and the joint development of border areas. He will be accompanied by Mr. Thanat Suwannanon, Director of the National Intelligence Agency and Chief of the Peace Dialogue in the southern border provinces, and will use this opportunity to introduce the Director to the Malaysian side for further cooperation.
• During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister will hold discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia on strengthening security along the border, while promoting economic development and connectivity, particularly through infrastructure development and enhanced road and rail connectivity, as well as the construction of additional sections of the border fence to prevent and combat illegal activity.
• These efforts will help strengthen security and connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia, and contribute to economic development at the border areas for the benefit of the people of both countries.

4. Revision of Thailand’s visa exemption and Visa on Arrival (VoA) schemes

• The related ministry has issued the necessary regulation as a result of the Cabinet’s previous approval of the review of Thailand’s visa measures, which has now been published in the Royal Gazette as of 31 August 2026. Once again, those measures include the following: (1) granting one visa exemption arrangement per country/territory; (2) revoking the 60-day visa exemption scheme; (3) revising the 30-day visa exemption scheme for tourism purposes by expanding the number of eligible countries/territories to 60; (4) introducing the new 15-day visa exemption scheme for tourism purposes for two countries/territories; and, (5) revising the Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme to reduce the number of eligible countries/territories to three. These measures will therefore take effect from 15 September 2026
• These revisions were made based on the following criteria: (1) national security; (2) tourism and economic interests; (3) reciprocity; (4) the reduction of overlapping visa exemption privileges, which may otherwise create confusion for foreign visitors; and, (5) convenience currently being provided by the e-Visa system.
• As such, foreigners who are already in Thailand under the current visa exemption schemes or plan to travel to Thailand before 15 September 2026 may stay until the last date of their permitted period of stay, which is indicated on the immigration stamp on their passport. This review also covers only the 30-day and 15-day visa exemption and VoA schemes, which apply to travel for tourism purposes only, and does not affect other visa categories at this point. Foreigners who wish to enter Thailand with other purposes must refer to the relevant visa category and the applicable laws and regulations.

Watch the full session at: https://fb.watch/Jo-8PnNKJT/?