Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade RGOB
The second Annual Bilateral Consultation between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand was held on 17th April 2014. H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs of Thailand, led the 8-member delegation from Thailand, comprising of senior officials from the Thai Foreign Ministry and Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA). The Bhutanese delegation comprising of senior officials from the various agencies of the Royal Government was led by Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji.
The first Consultation at the political level between the two governments was held in March 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Consultation provides a forum for the two countries to hold policy dialogue on wide ranging issues of mutual interests. During the second Consultation, the two sides reviewed the bilateral cooperation in various fields such as in technical cooperation, HRD, tourism, trade, culture, institutional linkages and civil aviation, and also exchanged views on cooperation in regional and multilateral fora.
The Neighbouring Countries Development Agency (NEDA) of Thailand included Bhutan in 2012 in the list of countries eligible for development assistance. An exploratory mission led by the Vice President of NEDA, Mr. Perames Vuthitornetiraks visited Bhutan from 31st March to 4th April 2014 to discuss areas of support for Bhutan’s development projects.
Bhutan established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Thailand in November 1989 and this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.