EABC / EU-ABC Mission Trip to Thailand Day 1

On 15 July 2026, the first day of the EABC / EU-ABC Mission Trip to Thailand, EABC, together with the EU-ABC delegation, engaged in a series of high-level meetings with key Thai government agencies at a pivotal moment for EU-Thailand relations, as both sides work towards concluding the EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Our first day featured meetings with:
·      H.E. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
·      Sarun Charoensuwan, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
·      Permanent Secretary Prasert Sinsukprasert, Ministry of Energy
·      Phanthong Loykulnanta, Director-General, Customs Department
·      Naroon Sooksmarn, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Industry

The series of discussions reflected the strong and longstanding partnership between Thailand and the European business community. Across the day’s engagements, the delegation reaffirmed its support for advancing the EU-Thailand FTA and Thailand’s OECD accession, while highlighting the importance of a predictable, transparent, and competitive business environment to complement Thailand’s reform agenda and encourage long-term and high-quality European investment.

The meetings also explored opportunities to deepen public-private collaboration across a range of priorities, including customs facilitation, combating illicit trade, energy security and the clean energy transition, industrial competitiveness, regulatory cooperation, and sustainable economic development. Together, these priorities will help strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness and reinforce its position as an attractive destination for trade and investment.

The day concluded with a reception hosted by H.E. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, bringing together senior Thai government officials, European ambassadors and embassy representatives, business leaders, and key stakeholders. The evening reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthening Thailand-EU cooperation, advancing economic diplomacy, and fostering closer public-private collaboration.