Thailand and UAE Celebrate Fifty Years of Diplomatic Partnership at National Day Reception
Ceremony in Bangkok marks half-century of ties as non-oil trade and investment surge between the two nations
Thailand and the United Arab Emirates this week formally marked fifty years of diplomatic relations in a ceremony at the UAE Embassy in Bangkok, coinciding with the UAE’s 54th National Day.
The reception was attended by senior Thai and Emirati officials, including UAE Ambassador to Thailand Obaid Saeed Obaid Bintaresh Aldhaheri and Thai House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.
The event served both as a celebration of the historic milestone and a reaffirmation of a growing, multifaceted partnership.
In his remarks, Ambassador Aldhaheri emphasised the transformation of UAE–Thai relations into a “strong engagement, ongoing dialogue and expanding cooperation across many sectors.” He highlighted significant growth in economic, cultural, and social exchanges since formal ties were established in 1975.
Economic cooperation, in particular, has flourished in recent years.
Non-oil bilateral trade is now estimated at around US$7.417 billion (approximately 239 billion baht), with UAE exports to Thailand around US$1.22 billion.
Between 2020 and 2024, investments from the UAE into Thailand reached roughly US$383.9 million, while Thai investments into the UAE totalled about US$62.1 million.
Complementing these figures, recent high-level business initiatives underscore the relationship’s expanding scope.
A “Doing Business with Thailand” forum held in Bangkok earlier this year, organised by Dubai Chambers, saw over 500 Thai and Emirati businesspeople explore 288 business-matching sessions.
That event also coincided with the inauguration of the Dubai Chambers’ international office in Bangkok — the organisation’s 36th worldwide and third in the ASEAN region — signalling deeper institutional and private-sector commitment to future cooperation.
Looking ahead, both nations are keen to leverage this milestone as a springboard for further collaboration.
The shared focus includes sustainable development, innovation, tourism, labour, healthcare and cultural exchange.
Ambassador Aldhaheri framed the achievements as the outcome of "forward-looking governance and a shared commitment to human development, innovation and sustainability," setting a positive tone for the next fifty years of partnership between Thailand and the UAE.
“United” as 2025’s theme — in line with the UAE’s designation of the year under its “Year of the Society” initiative — underscores the spirit of unity, diversity, and peaceful cooperation that both countries aim to advance through this long-standing relationship.
The celebration provided not just a look back at decades of diplomatic ties but also a clear signal that UAE–Thai cooperation will continue to expand across business, culture and social sectors — grounded in mutual respect and shared ambition.
The festivities closed with renewed determination to deepen engagement and build on the strong foundation laid over the past half-century.
The reception was attended by senior Thai and Emirati officials, including UAE Ambassador to Thailand Obaid Saeed Obaid Bintaresh Aldhaheri and Thai House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.
The event served both as a celebration of the historic milestone and a reaffirmation of a growing, multifaceted partnership.
In his remarks, Ambassador Aldhaheri emphasised the transformation of UAE–Thai relations into a “strong engagement, ongoing dialogue and expanding cooperation across many sectors.” He highlighted significant growth in economic, cultural, and social exchanges since formal ties were established in 1975.
Economic cooperation, in particular, has flourished in recent years.
Non-oil bilateral trade is now estimated at around US$7.417 billion (approximately 239 billion baht), with UAE exports to Thailand around US$1.22 billion.
Between 2020 and 2024, investments from the UAE into Thailand reached roughly US$383.9 million, while Thai investments into the UAE totalled about US$62.1 million.
Complementing these figures, recent high-level business initiatives underscore the relationship’s expanding scope.
A “Doing Business with Thailand” forum held in Bangkok earlier this year, organised by Dubai Chambers, saw over 500 Thai and Emirati businesspeople explore 288 business-matching sessions.
That event also coincided with the inauguration of the Dubai Chambers’ international office in Bangkok — the organisation’s 36th worldwide and third in the ASEAN region — signalling deeper institutional and private-sector commitment to future cooperation.
Looking ahead, both nations are keen to leverage this milestone as a springboard for further collaboration.
The shared focus includes sustainable development, innovation, tourism, labour, healthcare and cultural exchange.
Ambassador Aldhaheri framed the achievements as the outcome of "forward-looking governance and a shared commitment to human development, innovation and sustainability," setting a positive tone for the next fifty years of partnership between Thailand and the UAE.
“United” as 2025’s theme — in line with the UAE’s designation of the year under its “Year of the Society” initiative — underscores the spirit of unity, diversity, and peaceful cooperation that both countries aim to advance through this long-standing relationship.
The celebration provided not just a look back at decades of diplomatic ties but also a clear signal that UAE–Thai cooperation will continue to expand across business, culture and social sectors — grounded in mutual respect and shared ambition.
The festivities closed with renewed determination to deepen engagement and build on the strong foundation laid over the past half-century.
