There was also the incident of a Saudi diplomat assassinated in Bangkok and the abduction of a Saudi businessman and member of the Al Saud family since 1989…to the present. It’s been more than 30 years since the first government-level visit between the two countries was held.
Between 25-26 January 2022, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. is scheduled to attend and meet and discuss with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who is also Saudi Arabia’s deputy prime minister and defense minister. to promote and strengthen bilateral relations between
When the rift between Thailand and Saudi Arabia in the past, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia He was only 4 years old and the prince is now 36 years old.
“It is a time for the beginning of a new friendship between Thailand and Saudi Arabia.”
Dr. Sarawut Aree, political science scholar international relations (Middle East Studies) Institute of Asian Studies Chulalongkorn University I think that Saudi Arabia has the power to manage the country from the old generation to the new generation. At a time when Saudi Arabia wants to build ties with other countries Saudi Arabia has seen many images of aggression in recent times.
At the same time, we want to create an “economy” in the country, not relying on only “oil”, thus opening up the country more. both open to foreigners to invest and to invest abroad including tourism
…with Vision 2030
“Regions in which Saudi Arabia is interested So it’s not just in the Middle East. Because many countries have conflicts and conflicts, wars, or former allies like America…Europe I see that Saudi Arabia has a problem with human rights violations. So it’s time to look for new friendships in different regions.”
What awaits the agreement between the leaders of these two countries is Restoring normal relationships to open the way to all dimensions of cooperation. both the economy…trade which the normal relationship is “Establishing diplomatic relations” by setting up the Saudi Embassy in Thailand
and…exchanging ambassadors from present to charge d’affaires only In the past, various cooperation negotiations were limited. not expanding growth over time
If going back to the past, there are signs that the relationship between Thailand and Saudi Arabia has returned to trend again. After Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai gave an interview during his trip to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vietnam Between 11-13 January 2020 that…
traveled to Bahrain Saudi Arabia and Oman, and said The visit to Saudi Arabia was an invitational visit by the Saudi side. Which has been scheduled in advance and is also the first visit to Saudi Arabia by Thai foreign ministers in 30 years.
During the visit, talks were held with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud and Adil bin Ahmad al-Nubir. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Former Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia The main issue that has been discussed is … the restoration of relations between the two countries.
Dr Sarawut stressed that the matter is particularly interesting as it is a long-standing progression in Thailand’s efforts to restore ties with Saudi Arabia.
The key question is… what are the factors that cause the two sides to try to regain their relationship with each other again?
Factors leading to the revival of the relationship … at the end of March 2014 After the court dismissed Pol Lt. Gen. Somkid Boonthanom and his co-workers over the murder of a Saudi businessman more than 20 years ago, many parties did not see a future in regaining ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
But at the end of the same year Instead, we saw the Saudi foreign minister come to Thailand to attend the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit…this is the first visit to Thailand in decades by a high-ranking Saudi official. and discussed with the Prime Minister on ways to restore relations
It is said that prior to the discussions there was a coordinated effort from some parties to drive the talks. Whether it is a Saudi businessman himself who sees the benefits from the restoration of relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Or the Thai diplomat himself asked for cooperation from close friends like Bahrain to help him be a “medium” to connect ties with Saudi Arabia.
“I believe that the reversal of the foreign policy of Saudi Arabia towards Thailand is caused by the environment which is an important transition period for Saudi Arabia itself,” Dr Sarawut said. Major Politics in Saudi Arabia is to adjust the cabinet and the new succession order of the Saudi royal family This is an important change…a change of government to a new generation.”
Unlike in the past, the government of Saudi Arabia often consisted of high-ranking elders.
“The change in the country’s administrators from the old generation to the new generation would change the vision of the country’s future These young leaders may not have given much importance to the previous cases. But they are more aware of the benefits Saudi Arabia will receive if it restores ties with Thailand.”
Coupled with the recent economic problems of Saudi Arabia caused by the continued low “oil prices” may be another factor. as the world’s largest oil producer When it came to declaring a record budget deficit of $98 billion…
Thus causing the government to come up with the Saudi Vision 2030 project to reduce its dependence on oil revenue alone… open more diverse economic income channels.
Today, the diplomatic ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia show good signs. This is an important opportunity for the Ministry of Labor to find ways to expand the Thai labor market. and the policy of opening the country for tourism
“We have to balance our relationship. The main policy that Thailand has to create in the Middle East is to build good relations with all countries,” Dr. Sarawut Aree concluded.
