Supachai revealed that Anutin has instructed Team Thailand in Europe to urgently promote and support negotiations for the Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on all fronts, aiming for rapid success to advance the expansion of Thai goods and services exports to Europe.
Mrs. Supachai Sutthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, disclosed at the meeting of ambassadors and consuls general in Europe, chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, with Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers including Sihasak Puangketkaew (Foreign Affairs), Akniti Nitithanprapas (Finance), Yotsanan Wongsawat (Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation), and Ms. Zabeeda Thaiset (Culture) attending at Le Cercle de L’Union Interalliée club in Paris, France, on 24 May 2026, that the Prime Minister ordered ambassadors, consuls general, and Team Thailand in the European Union (EU) to collaborate in promoting and supporting the Thai-EU FTA negotiations in all aspects. This includes explaining benefits, trade and investment cooperation, and managing geopolitical challenges arising from the FTA to expedite conclusion. She also took this opportunity to ask Team Thailand for their support in driving this effort.
Currently, geopolitics and geo-economics are closely linked worldwide, directly impacting trade, investment, and global supply chains. It is necessary to establish trade balance under an approach where Thailand remains friendly to all parties and pursues cooperation based on mutual benefits. The EU represents a key opportunity to expand markets, attract investment, and reduce Thailand’s reliance on traditional markets.
Thailand is currently negotiating an FTA with the EU, with the ninth round scheduled for June 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. Thailand aims to conclude negotiations promptly to secure tariff benefits for exporting goods to Europe. Otherwise, Thailand risks losing out to competitors such as Vietnam and Malaysia, which already have FTAs with the EU.
The Thai-EU FTA negotiations have made steady progress, with 11 out of 24 chapters finalized. There remain important issues requiring further discussion, organized into clusters such as regulations and product standards, agriculture and processed agricultural products, industrial goods, energy, public procurement, and digital trade. This clustering helps clarify policy decision contexts, requiring close cooperation among multiple agencies. Team Thailand is also urged to communicate Thailand’s strengths and genuine commitment to finalizing the Thai-EU FTA.
Meanwhile, cooperation was requested from the diplomatic corps to inform European entrepreneurs that Thailand is ready to be an investment base and import hub for the EU. This comes as the EU needs to diversify import sources to reduce dependence on traditional suppliers, especially for industrial goods, high-value processed foods, and processed agricultural products. The Ministry of Commerce is prepared to facilitate connections between businesses from both sides to meet and collaborate.
Additionally, Thailand has the potential to be a key partner for Europe in food security, health, and the green economy, which are national strengths. Thailand is accelerating energy restructuring and economic development aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the transition to a green economy. Its strategic location as the logistics hub of Asia—the Heart of Asia—enables connectivity in trade, investment, and regional supply chains.
The Ministry of Commerce plans to continuously promote Thai exports and service sectors to the European market, with over 100 projects and activities annually. Team Thailand’s ongoing support is requested. The latest joint effort was the promotion of the historical exhibition “Royal Textiles to the World” celebrating 170 years of Thai-French diplomatic relations and honoring Queen Sirikit’s contributions to Thai textiles and handicrafts, held from 13 May to 1 November 2026 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD) in Paris, France.
To support Thai entrepreneurs entering the European market, the Ministry of Commerce plans activities including knowledge enhancement, mentorship, product standards development, facilitating business matching negotiations, promoting online trade, brand building, sourcing capital and necessary technology, and networking to strengthen entrepreneurs’ competitiveness.
Supachai said Thailand seeks to attract investment that creates jobs, builds domestic supply chains, and transfers technology, especially in processed agriculture, high-value industries, health, digital, and the green economy. She invited European businesses to invest, produce, and use Thailand as a global market hub, also collaborating to develop the processed agriculture industry to add value to Thai agriculture. The Ministry of Commerce cannot accomplish these plans alone and requests Team Thailand’s cooperation to drive economic diplomacy and strengthen Thailand’s economic and trade position globally.
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