Thailand-Pakistan Relationship

The History
A history of Thai-Pak Relationship dated back more than 50 years ago when the two countries signed an agreement established Diplomatic Relation on 10 October 1951. Afterward, in1956, Pakistani Government appointed the first Pakistan's Ambassador to Thailand and a year later, Thailand then appointed its first Ambassador to Pakistan. A mile stone of history of the two countries has placed when Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit visit to Pakistan followed by visits of HRH Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn in 1992 and 1998, and HRH Princess Chulabhorn's in 1994. There have also been reciprocal visits by the leaders of the two countries over the years, notably the visit of Gen. Zia-ul-Haque in 1980 followed by the visit of the then Prime Minister of Thailand, Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda. These visits have helped strengthened the relations further.
In March 1999, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand led the Thai Delegation to the Inaugural Meeting of Joint Economic Commission held in Islamabad. The Meeting brought about the successful outcome which led to the Thai Trade Exhibition and Thai Food Festival in Karachi. This confirms that Thailand and Pakistan have many things in common and will benefit from the strengthening of cooperation both in economic and cultural programme in areas of mutual interest.
Amidst the regional turbulence after unfortunate incident in September 2001, Thailand's contribution of 3,000 tons of rice and 10,000 blanket for Afghan refugee in Pakistan has proved a yet stronger friendship tie between Thailand and Pakistan.

The New Chapter
The official visit of Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Thai Foreign Minister between 3-5 March 2002 has opened a new chapter of Thai-Pak relationship towards more a materialized benefits to both countries' political and economic interests. The Foreign Minister has paid a courtesy call on H.E. General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan and informed him of the development of Asia Cooeration Disloque, which later becomes a successful platform for cooperation for countries in South, East, and Southeast Asia. Moreover, the Pakistani President informed FM. Surakiart of his country's rediness to join hands with Thailand, India and Vietnam in rice export promotion. Foreign Minister Surakiart also met with Pakistani Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, and Industries and discuss ways to promote trade and investment in areas of process food, jewelry, and auto part. Pakistan offered to be a gateway to central Asia while Thailand was also ready to serve as a gateway to Southeast Asia. A Memorandum of Understanding between Thai-Pakistan on Logistic Support has also been signed during the time of the visit.
The Prime Minister of Thailand paid an official visit to Pakistan between 1-2 July 2002. During his visit, H.E. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra met with H.E. General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, and several other ministers. Matters of common interests have been discussed in many aspects and the MoU of Tourism has been signed to facilitate tourism business between the two countries.

Economic Aspect

Trade

• The volume of  trade between Thailand and Pakistan in the year 2004  reached 497 million dollars.   Thailand's  export  to Pakistan valued at 436 million dollars while  total of  import  was  at  61 million dollars.
• Major export  products  to Pakistan are chemicals, automobile  parts  and accessories, plastics, filament, rubber, electric appliances, iron and steel, glass, copper etc. (details in the table below)
• The major import products are cotton, mineral fuel oil wax, fish, organic chemical, oil  seed,  oleaginous  fruits, leather, optical  apparatus, pharmaceutical  products  etc. (details in the table below)
• The flow of trade from both sides will be expanded both in volume and diversity.During the visit of  H.E. Mr. Shaukat Aziz, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, to Thailand in May 2005, the  two  countries  agreed  to begin a joint study of Free Trade Agreement (FTA)  with the aim of  boosting bilateral trade between the two countries.
• The establishment of the  Thai-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce  in  Bangkok in January 2005 is another milestone in the history of economic relations between the two countries. The TPCC  has been   working  closely  with  the Governments  to promote mutual contacts between the businessmen and the investors between the two countries.

Investment

• The investment cooperation will   focus on potential areas of mutual benefit  such as information technology, telecommunication, construction, automobile parts, food processing, fisheries, agriculture , hotel industry and real estate.   With  an extensive experience in these areas,  Thailand  is  ready  to support  joint  ventures  as well as  to participate in  Pakistan's development  and infrastructure projects. 
  
  The  Agreement  on  Promotion and  Protection  of  the  Investment  between the two countries is expected to be concluded in  2005.

Imports of Thailand from Pakistan

source: The Custom Department of Thailand

Exports of Thailand to Pakistan

source: The Custom Department of Thailand

Tourism

               With her experience in tourism, Thailand expressed its readiness to assist  Pakistan to develop tourist industries, particularly in  various areas  where Buddhist archeological sites are excavated.
                An open sky policy agreed upon by the two countries  would increase people to people contacts  together with  new economic opportunity.    Thailand  and  Pakistan agreed  to  work together  towards  an increase in number of  direct  flights  in the existing routes  including  an additional route between Bangkok and Islamabad.

Thailand Export to Pakistan
Chemical Product, Plastic, Auto parts, Air conditioner and parts, Syntactic Textile, Rubber Product, Refrigerator and Cloth

Thailand Import from Pakistan
Textile, Yarn, Crude Oil, Lubricate oil, Leather, Chemical Product, and Medical Equipment