Summary of Press Briefing by H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs on the 2025 Meeting of Ambassadors and Consuls-General

วันที่นำเข้าข้อมูล 20 Jun 2025

วันที่ปรับปรุงข้อมูล 20 Jun 2025

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On 13 June 2025, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a press briefing on the 2025 Meeting of Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General, which was held from 8 to 14 June 2025 in Bangkok under the theme “Proactive and People-Centred Diplomacy: From Policy to Practice.”

The meeting brought together 100 Thai Ambassadors, Consuls-General, Chargé d'affaires, and Acting Consuls-General from 98 overseas missions. Also in attendance virtually were representatives of the “Team Thailand” agencies abroad.

Gist of the briefing is as follows:

1. On 13 June 2025 at 18.26 hours, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua graciously granted royal permission for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to lead the Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General to have a royal audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen. His Majesty the King conferred royal guidance on fostering friendly relations with other countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was humbly grateful and deeply honoured.

2. This year’s timely Meeting took place at an important turning point as the global landscape has undergone a profound transformation marked by shifting global structure and order, driven by geopolitical competition amongst major powers, which has posed challenges to Thailand’s national security and economic stability. Therefore, it is imperative for Thailand to readjust its policies in multiple areas.

Key objectives of the Meeting were for the Ambassadors and Consuls-General to

(1) exchange views and opinions on key government economic policies with policymakers, relevant agencies and stakeholders and

(2) foster collaborative brainstorming to recalibrate strategies and approaches in advancing foreign policy, in line with national development in all dimensions, especially economic and social ones, aiming to formulate a practical and action-oriented Action Plan on Proactive Diplomacy to ensure that Thailand’s global engagement effectively delivers tangible benefits for the Thai people. The Ministry was honoured to host executives from relevant Thai agencies, including H.E. Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; H.E. Mr. Paopoom Rojanasakul, Deputy Minister of Finance; Mr. Supavud Saicheua, Chairman of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC); Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT); Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand; and Mr. Nava Chantanasurakon, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.

3. At the Opening Ceremony on 9 June 2025, H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, gave remarks tasking the Ambassadors and Consuls-General to recalibrate Thailand’s foreign policy strategies, taking into account the country’s challenges, opportunities, and strengths, to strategically position Thailand to maximise benefits in the emerging global power dynamics and international order.

4. Over four days of deliberation, the Meeting underscored the urgent need to (1) adjust the country’s foreign policy strategies, and (2) strengthen Team Thailand.

5. In recalibrating the country’s foreign policy strategies to respond to changes in the international structure and order: First, Thailand will be repositioned through the geo-strategic de-risking and Multiple Alignment approach. This aims to maintain strategic equilibrium while fostering closer partnership across various key regions and countries, particularly middle powers and emerging economies, which have played constructive roles in the international affairs.

6. Second, Thailand will rebrand itself by projecting a new image on the world stage through strengthening a clear and credible identity and positioning, with an emphasis on enhancing its strategic value. At the heart of this rebranding effort is “Modern Soft Power,” a major policy priority of the Prime Minister. This approach not only enhances the country's image, but also drives development in industries that deliver tangible benefits to the Thai people. Ultimately, this will renew Thailand’s image from being a friendly country to an indispensable partner to all countries.

7. Third, Thailand will pursue “Proactive Diplomacy” to safeguard regional stability and security through deepening relations with neighbouring countries and reinforcing the ASEAN mechanisms alongside other cooperation frameworks.

8. At the same time, proactive economic diplomacy is crucial for effectively responding to trade tensions and changes in the international order. In the short term, Thailand will focus on promoting exports and resolving trade barriers; enhancing value-added in exports and tourism; attracting tourists, particularly high spenders; drawing direct investments in target industries; and attracting talent and wealth from around the world.

In the medium to long term vision, Thailand will prioritise its competitiveness and joining the right conversations to ensure that the country plays a more active and constructive role in key global discussions, particularly through: (1) accelerating negotiations on trade cooperation and investment protection, particularly new FTA negotiations; (2) increasing engagements with global economic frameworks, especially OECD and BRICS; (3) advancing Thailand’s role as a transportation and logistics hub, leveraging the country’s strategic geographic location to enhance regional and global connectivity; (4) attracting investments in innovations in the areas aligned with national development, especially clean energy and carbon emissions reduction; and (5) contributing towards the development of global economic rules and norms in emerging issues, such as digital economy, AI governance and ethics, and cybersecurity.

9. Regarding strengthening Team Thailand, Thailand will focus on driving in unity towards foreign policy implementation, fostering greater integration through enhancing the efficiency of Team Thailand mechanisms, and creating synergy through closer collaboration amongst all sectors, including the public sector, private sector, civil society and the people.

10. In addition, the Meeting brainstormed ways to further enhance the efficiency of consular services and the protection of Thai nationals abroad.

11. The Ministry also took the opportunity during the Meeting to engage in fact-based public communication by inviting the media to interview the Ambassadors and Consuls-General on topics of public interests, such as the overseas Thai communities, workers and students; emergency evacuation plan for Thai nationals abroad; Thailand’s policy towards the situation in Myanmar; Thailand’s diplomatic efforts to promote international cooperation to address transnational crimes; Thailand’s position in multilateral frameworks; and the situation in the Middle East.

12. The Ministry, along with the Thai Ambassadors and Consuls-General, will work collectively with relevant agencies and stakeholders under Team Thailand to drive forward the outcomes of the Meeting as well as the government policies. The goal is to ensure that Thailand’s foreign policy serves as a proactive instrument that delivers tangible benefits to the Thai people, reflecting a truly “People-Centred Diplomacy.” In the 21st Century, public policy and foreign policy must be implemented in tandem as an integrated whole. Foreign policy must effectively support and advance the public policy priorities in a concrete manner.

13. The Minister has instructed the Ambassadors and Consuls-General to translate key directives and outcomes of the Meeting into concrete actions. This includes a formulation of action plans with clear indicators to monitor the progress in both recalibrating Thailand’s foreign policy and strengthening Team Thailand. The Ambassadors and Consuls-General are also required to periodically report the progress to the Prime Minister, as directed at the Meeting’s Closing Ceremony.

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Summary of Press Briefing by H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs on the 2025 Meeting of Ambassadors and Consuls-General

Summary of Press Briefing by H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs on the 2025 Meeting of Ambassadors and Consuls-General

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