On 29 April 2026, His Excellency Mr. Nadhavathna Krishnamra, Ambassador of Thailand to the United Kingdom, held a virtual meeting with Mr. Matt Western MP, UK Trade Envoy to Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, to exchange views on opportunities to enhance Thailand–UK trade and investment cooperation. The meeting followed Mr. Western’s visit to Thailand in March 2026 where he held meetings with various public and private sector stakeholders, including a meeting with the Thai Minister of Public Health, as well as with the UK private sector operating in Thailand.

The two sides discussed ways to advance the Thailand-UK economic partnership following the formation of Thailand’s new government, focusing on the 2nd Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) as well as the possibility of opening Thai-UK FTA negotiations. Both sides saw opportunities to expand cooperation in high-potential sectors such as digital economy, education, clean energy, science, technology and innovation, and aviation industry. They also exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle-East which affected global energy security and underlined necessity to diversify energy sources.

On this occasion, the Ambassador also reaffirmed the continuity of Thailand’s economic policies under the new Thai Government which prioritise high-value, tech driven industries focusing on investment facilitation and reduction of trade barriers. Thailand has set a new ambition to achieve OECD membership by 2028, with support from the UK on capacity building workshops and knowledge transfer.