BANGKOK (TASS): Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud agreed to appoint ambassadors in the capitals of the two countries in the near future and fully normalize their diplomatic relations. This is stated in a joint statement by the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince, released on Wednesday by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a bilateral meeting.
The text notes that “the parties agreed to fully normalize their diplomatic relations.” “This historic breakthrough is the result of many years of efforts by both sides at many levels to restore mutual trust and friendly relations,” the publication emphasizes. They also agreed on important steps “needed to be taken to invigorate bilateral relations, including appointing ambassadors to their respective capitals in the near future and establishing consultative mechanisms to strengthen bilateral cooperation.” “Intensive coordination will begin in the coming months to discuss bilateral cooperation in key strategic areas,” the statement said.
Official visit
The Prime Minister of Thailand, at the invitation of the Crown Prince, arrived in Saudi Arabia on January 25, which was the first official visit of this level in more than 30 years. During the meeting, the parties also reaffirmed “the mutual intention to resolve all urgent issues between Thailand and Saudi Arabia and normalize relations between the two kingdoms.” Prayut Chan-Ocha and Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud also stressed the importance of strengthening “the bonds of friendship between the two kingdoms and opening a new chapter in the relationship between Thailand and Saudi Arabia.”
Relations between the two countries were established in 1957. After a visit to Saudi Arabia by a Thai delegation in January 1984, contacts between the two kingdoms further strengthened. However, Saudi Arabia downgraded its diplomatic relationship with Thailand after a 1989 theft of about $20 million worth of jewelry by a Thai janitor working at a Saudi prince’s palace. A year later, three Saudi diplomats were killed in one night in Thailand.
At a meeting held on Tuesday, the prime minister expressed “regret over the tragic events that took place in Thailand between 1989 and 1990.” Prayut Chan-o-cha assured that Thailand had made every effort to solve the cases and expressed its readiness to refer them “to the competent authorities, if new substantiated evidence appears.”
The premier also reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to “ensure proper security for members of the Saudi Arabian embassy mission in Bangkok in accordance with the Vienna Convention.” The parties also pledged to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the citizens of the two countries in Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
Strengthening and expanding ties
Meanwhile, the parties exchanged views on various regional and international issues, “discussed the means and ways of strengthening bilateral relations in all areas.” They also agreed to “strengthen cooperation and coordination between relevant government agencies as well as the private sector” to take their bilateral relationship to a new level “for the mutual benefit of the two kingdoms.”
In addition, discussions took place on the means and ways to strengthen and expand economic and trade relations between the two kingdoms “by exploring investment and other opportunities.” They also agreed to explore new areas of cooperation such as renewable energy, digital transformation and cybersecurity. At the same time, the parties stressed the importance of developing people-to-people contacts, “which will become the cornerstone of growing relations between the two kingdoms, as well as encouraging interfaith dialogue and multiculturalism.”
Saudi Arabia is a member of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), a mechanism established by Thailand in 2005 to promote closer interaction among Asian countries, which also includes the major economies of the Middle East. In 2016, during the ACD summit in Bangkok, Prayut Chan-Ocha held talks with Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, both sides then decided to restore relations. Thailand and Saudi Arabia have always held similar views on major regional and international issues, especially those vital to international peace and security. Both countries closely cooperate and support each other’s position in the UN and other international fora.
“The parties agreed to support each other in international organizations and forums and stressed the importance of the commitment of all countries to the UN Charter, international norms and principles of good neighborliness, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the text emphasizes. “They welcomed each other’s constructive role in their regions, especially vital Thailand’s important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as the leading role of Saudi Arabia in maintaining peace, security and humanitarian and development assistance.”
