กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ

กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ

วันที่นำเข้าข้อมูล 17 Sep 2019

วันที่ปรับปรุงข้อมูล 29 Nov 2022

| 4,705 view

Relation between the Kingdom of Thailand
and
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have long and historic relations. The two Kingdoms have enjoyed warm and cordial relationships even before the establishment of formal diplomatic ties on 1 October 1957 with resident representative in their respective capitals.

In 1966 the status of their relation was upgraded to ambassador level, the first Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Thailand was H.E. Abdulrahman Al-Omran while H.E. Prasong Suwanpradhes was the first Thai Ambassador accredited to Saudi Arabia.

Relations between the two Kingdoms have been further strengthened by the visit to Saudi Arabia in January 1984 of the Thai delegation led by Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Prapas Limpabhandhu and high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, as well as representatives from the Thai Parliament and the private sector.

Thailand and Saudi Arabia always share similar views on major regional and international issues, especially those of vital importance to international peace and security. Both countries are working closely and supported each other’s position in the United Nations and at other international fora.

 

A Chronology of key events of Thai - Saudi Diplomatic Ties

  1 October 1957

Established of diplomatic ties 

  1966

Exchange of resident Ambassador level 

  1981

Saudi Arabia Fund for Development loaned
Thailand US $ 51.47 millions for Lignite Electricity Plant
in Mae Moh, Thailand 

  1984

Official Visit to Saudi Arabia of Thai Deputy Foreign
Minister, Prapas Limprabhan 

  1985

Official Visit to Saudi Arabia of Thai Foreign
Minister (ACM Siddhi Savetsila)

  

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) granted Baht 32
Million for construction of Islamic College in
Yala Province, Southern Thailand

  Late 1990

Official Visit to Saudi Arabia of Thai Foreign Minister,
Dr. Arthit Urairat. 

  Feb 1993

Official Visit to Saudi Arabia of Thai Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan. 

  1995

Official Visit to Saudi Arabia of Thai Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan with signing an Agreement on “Avoidance of Double Taxation” with Saudi side 

  1998-99

Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce of Thailand visited to Saudi Arabia. 

  1999-2001

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd
Bin Abdulaziz has sponsored Thai pilgrims to perform Haj
over 1,000 persons. 

  20 April 2004

Official Visit to Saudi Arabia of H.E. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The Minister
was granted an audience with the Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

  8 Jan 2005

Saudi Government sent a condolence and provided humanitarian assistance to Tsunami affected communities in Thailand worth $ US 1 million Dollars
 

  6 Apr 2005

The 4 th Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Islamabad accepted Saudi Arabia as member with persuasion and great support from Thailand . 

  8-10 May 2005

Signing MOU for Amendment of Agreement on Air Services in Jeddah. 

  22-23 May 2005

Visit to Saudi Arabia of Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and party. 

  2 Aug 2005

Their Majesties King and Queen and Crown Princess of Thailand sent messages of condolence to Crown Prince Abdullah for the demise of King Fahd 

  3 Aug 2005

Official Visit to Saudi Arabia of Dr. Kanthathi Suphamongkhon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the capacity as His Majesty King's and Thai Government's Representative, to attend King Fahd's funeral ceremony and had an audience with King Abdullah who accessed to the throne on 1 Aug 2005 . 

  16 Nov 2005 Official Visit to Saudi Arabia of H.E. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Deputy Prime Minister and met with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabiato hand over an invitation letter to His Majesty King Abdullah to attend the Royal Ceremony on the occasion of 60 th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand  
  19-24 Nov 2005

5 members of Shoura Council (Saudi Consultative Council)
attended the 6 th General Assembly of the Association of
Asian Parliament hosted by Thai Parliament.

 

Economic Relations

In 2004, Saudi Arabia was 24th major market for Thai exports and 3 rd major market of Thailand in Middle East.  Thailand ranked 20th among major traders with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is Thailand’s major supplier of crude oil. Thailand’s trade with Saudi Arabia reached 2.9 Billion USD in 2004.

In 2005 two-way trade rose to 5 Billion USD. Thailand imported from Saudi Arabia 4 Billion USD while exported 1 Billion USD.

Thailand imported mainly crude oil, petrochemical products and fertilizer while exporting to Saudi Arabia motor cars auto part and accessories, air conditioning machine, refrigerators, prepared or preserved fish, woven fabrics, washing machines,  machinery, garments, rice etc.

Thai Labour in Saudi Arabia

Pre-Gulf War (1990) Saudi Arabia was the largest market for Thai oversea workers with its number over 200,000. At present, according to the statistic provided by Ministry of foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, 10,000 Thais remain in the Kingdom.

Haj and Islamic Affairs

Thailand, with over 7.5 million Muslim population takes great pride in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s care of the Holy Land. Thailand and Saudi Arabia historic links could be trace back to the early day of establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The number of Thai pilgrims perform their fifth pillar of Islam each year approximately between 9,000 to 10,000.

In 2005, the number of Thai Pilgrims performing religious rituals in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah reached 10,124.

Up to date, the number of Thai Muslim 12,400 have already applied their documents at the Department of Religious Affairs to perform Hajj which will be started at the end of this year.


**********************
Royal Thai Embassy
As of Apr 2014