Thailand-Ireland Relations

Thailand and Ireland established diplomatic relations on 27 January 1975, and will mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025. Bilateral relations between the two countries have been close and cordial, with close cooperation in several areas. There have also been exchanges of visits between the two sides, including the official visit of H.E. Mrs. Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, to Thailand in 2002. Ireland opened its embassy in Thailand in November 2014, whereas the Royal Thai Embassy in London is accredited to Ireland on a non-resident basis. The Political Consultations mechanism is the main high-level forum for regular discussions on areas of bilateral cooperation. The 1st Thailand – Ireland Political Consultations was convened in Dublin in July 2022.

In terms of trade, the total volume of trade between Thailand and Ireland was just over USD 1,000 million in 2023, with Thailand exporting around USD 497 million to Ireland and importing around USD 504 million. As a result, Thailand experienced a trade deficit of just under USD 7 million with Ireland in 2023. Significant Thai investments in Ireland include Thai Union Frozen Products, Indorama Ventures, Central Group (Brown Thomas and Arnotts), and Minor Group (Anantara the Marker Hotel, Dublin). Irish investment in Thailand ranks 10th among EU countries, with investments spanning various industries such as Kerry Group (Food, Beverage & Pharmaceutical), Wisetek Solutions (IT Asset Disposition Services), Synergy Flavours (Food Products Supplier).

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 65,000 Irish tourists travelled to Thailand annually. During the pandemic in 2020, the number of Irish tourists traveling to Thailand decreased to 2,756. Subsequently, as the pandemic situation improved, the number of Irish tourists gradually increased to a total of 67,638 tourists in 2023, surpassing the expected target. Regarding the Thai community in Ireland, there are approximately 3,818 Thais residing mainly in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. The Thai-Ireland Association was established by the Thai community to provide mutual support and engage in various activities supporting local communities. Currently, there are three Thai temples in Ireland, located in Cork, Dublin and Limerick.

Ireland uses English as one of its official languages and boasts numerous world-class universities in various fields, such as medicine, pharmacy, science, information technology and agriculture. As a result, the Ministry of Education of Thailand has signed a memorandum of understanding on education cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Skills of Ireland on 27 February 2015, aiming to enhance cooperation in academic and educational development at all levels, including basic education, vocational education and higher education. Notably, University College Dublin, during the visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand in 2014, offered two scholarships annually for Thai students at the master degree level in science and technology fields, excluding medicine, nursing, public health, and business administration. Currently, Irish educational institutions also collaborate with several Thai universities, such those between Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin and Thammasat University.