On 29 July 2025, Ambassador Nadhavathna Krishnamra had a meeting with Mr. Michael Hawes, Chief Executive, and Mr. Matthew Smith, Head of International Affairs of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the leading organisation representing and promoting the UK automotive industry.

The two sides exchanged views and explored potential areas for collaboration in the automotive sector between Thailand and the UK, particularly in relation to the development of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, which the Thai Government has identified as a strategic priority.

Thailand’s automotive industry constitutes one of the country’s key economic sectors. Thailand is recognised as a regional hub for automotive manufacturing in Southeast Asia and, in 2024, ranked as the world’s 10^th largest vehicle producer, with a total output of approximately 1.46 million units, comprising both passenger and commercial vehicles. This will serve as an opportunity for the UK's automotive businesses to explore and expand cooperation with Thailand.