Thailand Bilateral Linkages

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• Bilateral Linkages
• Trade and Economic
• Education
• Immigration and Tourism
• NZAID's Relationship

Thailand Bilateral Linkages

New Zealand's relations with Thailand date from the 1950s and formal diplomatic relations were established in 1956. The narrow security/alliance dealings of the Southeast Asian Treaty Organisation (SEATO) years have been replaced by a broad contemporary relationship. Both countries share similar perspectives on regional political and security issues. New Zealand is regarded as a friendly and reliable partner.

New Zealand's economic links with Thailand have grown rapidly over the last decade. Numerous New Zealand firms have offices and considerable business activity in Thailand. Tourism has grown in both directions and helped to promote Thailand as a favoured Asian holiday destination. Thailand is now New Zealand's leading provider of fee-paying students from Southeast Asia.

Visits

To Thailand

• Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark visited in 2005 for the signing of the CEP.
• The New Zealand Attorney General Hon Margaret Wilson visited Thailand in August 2001.
• Minister of Defence and Tourism Hon Mark Burton made a bilateral visit in June 2003
• Minister of Education Hon Trevor Mallard visited in May 2004.
• The Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright visited Thailand in April 2002.
• The Minister of Police Hon Annette King visited Thailand in May 2006.
• The Minister of Education and Ethic Affairs Hon Chris Carter visited Bangkok in March 2008.

To New Zealand

• The Thai Foreign Minister, Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, visited New Zealand for official talks in late October 2003.
• The Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, visited New Zealand in July 2004 along with nine ministers.
• Foreign Minister, Kantathi Suphamongkhon, visited New Zealand in July 2006.
• Several Thai Parliamentary delegations have visited New Zealand in recent years. These have included the Senate Tourism and Privatisation Committees.