The Times Kuwait Report
Thailand and Kuwait are looking to build on more than six decades of diplomatic friendship by translating their longstanding ties into a more dynamic partnership spanning trade, investment, food security, healthcare and regional cooperation.
In an interview with The Times Kuwait, Niyom highlighted the importance of strengthening economic links, improving opportunities for businesses, developing new areas of collaboration and maintaining close diplomatic engagement at a time when regional developments continue to affect security and economic stability.
She said Thailand firmly advocated diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East and valued the friendship and cooperation extended by Kuwait, particularly in ensuring the welfare of Thai nationals living in the country.
Building on six decades of friendship
Thailand and Kuwait have maintained close and cordial relations for more than 60 years, with cooperation extending across energy, automotive trade, agriculture, tourism, medical tourism, education and labour.
For Niyom, this established relationship provides a strong foundation for the next stage of bilateral engagement. The focus now is on identifying new opportunities that respond to the priorities of both countries and bring their business communities closer together.
“Looking ahead, we hope to further strengthen cooperation in areas that align with the New Kuwait Vision and Thailand’s priorities, including food security, healthcare, tourism and trade through stronger private-sector networks,” she said.
Beyond traditional areas of cooperation, Thailand sees potential in expanding collaboration in the defence industry and exploring joint development initiatives in Africa under the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI).
Both countries also intend to continue working together through the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), with the aim of making the regional platform more dynamic and effective.
The broader objective is to ensure that the relationship continues to evolve, creating opportunities for businesses, institutions and communities while strengthening cooperation on issues of common interest.
Joint Commission to give bilateral ties greater momentum
One of the important institutional developments in Thailand-Kuwait relations is the proposed Agreement on the Establishment of the Joint Commission.
According to Niyom, negotiations on the agreement were approaching the final stage, and the instrument was expected to be signed soon.
Once in effect, the Joint Commission will serve as the highest-level platform for bilateral dialogue between the two countries, providing a more structured mechanism to advance cooperation and maintain regular engagement on shared priorities.
Thailand stands with Kuwait amid regional uncertainty
Regional stability was another important dimension of Thailand’s engagement with Kuwait, as developments in the Middle East continue to have consequences beyond the immediate region.
Niyom said Thailand was following the situation in the Gulf with deep concern, particularly because of its implications for the safety of Thai nationals living in the Middle East, energy security and economic stability.
She emphasised that Thailand advocated diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and bring conflicts to an end through peaceful means. The relationship with Kuwait has taken on particular importance during this challenging period. Niyom recalled a telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Thailand and Kuwait in March, during which Thailand reaffirmed its solidarity with Kuwait and expressed appreciation for the care and support extended to Thai nationals in the country.
For Thailand, the welfare of its citizens abroad remains a significant concern, alongside the wider economic consequences of instability in a region that plays a central role in global energy supplies.
Niyom said Thailand continued to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law as the foundation of peaceful relations between nations. She also stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and protection of civilians and essential civilian infrastructure.
She believes that Thailand and Kuwait can continue to play a constructive role in fostering long-term stability in the region through close engagement.
From traditional trade to broader investment opportunities
Niyom said both countries were looking to increase two-way investment, particularly in sectors with strong growth potential, including food production and agro-processing.
Thailand’s established agricultural and food industries offer opportunities for Kuwaiti investors and businesses seeking reliable partners, while stronger commercial links could help companies in both countries explore new markets.
She also highlighted the importance of closer engagement between the Chambers of Commerce of Thailand and Kuwait, noting that stronger connections between the private sectors would help identify opportunities and encourage more direct business cooperation.
Facilitating travel for entrepreneurs, executives and technical experts is another priority. Smoother visa and entry procedures, she said, would help businesses develop partnerships, explore investment prospects and strengthen commercial relationships.
Progress towards a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is also part of Thailand’s efforts to strengthen economic ties and encourage a more sustained flow of investment between the two countries.
Furthermore, she highlighted that both countries could serve as strategic hubs for supply chain connectivity. Thailand offers Kuwait a regional gateway into ASEAN and Southeast Asia, while Kuwait serves as an ideal gateway for Thai trade and investment into the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market.
Food security at the heart of future cooperation
Food security is emerging as one of the most promising areas for closer Thailand-Kuwait cooperation. As a major global food supplier, Thailand is keen to strengthen its position as a reliable, long-term partner for Kuwait, with opportunities extending from agricultural products to high-value processed foods.
Niyom said food security remained a priority in bilateral relations and that the two countries could consider an agreed framework to provide a stronger basis for cooperation.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuwait has been working to increase the visibility of Thai brands and promote imports of Thai food and agricultural products. Particular attention has been given to strengthening confidence in Thailand’s food quality, halal standards, and food value chain including high-value processed foods and products.
Healthcare cooperation goes beyond medical tourism
Healthcare and wellness tourism offer another area in which Thailand and Kuwait can build on an already established relationship. Thailand welcomes around 80,000 Kuwaiti visitors annually, according to Niyom, and has developed a reputation for healthcare facilities and services that cater to Muslim patients.
Thai hospitals and wellness centres offer a range of services for international patients, making healthcare an important component of the relationship between the two countries.
However, Thailand sees opportunities to expand cooperation beyond the treatment of Kuwaiti patients travelling to Thailand. Niyom said the two countries could explore exchanges of medical personnel and establish partnerships between hospitals, creating opportunities for professional interaction and closer institutional links.
She identified diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer treatment and knee replacement surgery as areas with particular potential, noting the expertise of Thai hospitals in these fields.
Hospital-to-hospital cooperation could provide a framework for sharing knowledge, developing professional relationships and exploring areas in which the healthcare institutions of both countries could work together.
The second round of Thailand-Kuwait Political Consultations took place on 27 September 2026 as both countries explored opportunities to broaden a relationship built over more than six decades.
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