The Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Bhutan have maintained close and cordial relations, based on the special bonds of friendship between the Royal Families of the two Kingdoms, the constant exchanges of visits at various levels, as well as Buddhist linkages and cultural affinities.

At the invitation of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will pay a State Visit to Bhutan from 25 to 28 April 2025. The State Visit will be the first visit to Bhutan by a reigning monarch of Thailand and the first State Visit abroad by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua after ascending the throne.

Bhutan has been ruled under a constitutional monarchy since 2007. The peoples of Thailand and Bhutan have a deep reverence for the institution of the monarchy, and members of the Royal Families of both countries have exchanged regular visits. 

Following the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (Rama IX) on 13 October 2016, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Royal Family led the nation of Bhutan in lighting candles and praying for King Rama IX. King Jigme and Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema on 16 October 2016 laid a wreath to pay their respects to the late King of Thailand at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok. They were the first foreign royals who came to pay their respects in person in Thailand. Their Majesties the King and Queen of Bhutan also visited Thailand in October 2017 to attend the Royal Cremation Ceremony of the late King Rama IX.

Later, on 21-23 December 2022, Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema paid a visit to Thailand as a Special Representative of His Majesty King Jigme. On this occasion, the Queen visited King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok to offer flowers to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita and wish for Her Royal Highness’s speedy recovery.

On 19 December 2022, by the Royal Command of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, a special prayer was held at Pangri Zampa Monastery in Thimphu to pray for the speedy recovery of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita. 

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Bhutan in 2016 for Her Royal Highness’s “Agriculture for School Lunch Project.” Her Royal Highness has been supporting agricultural programs in six schools in Bhutan and has also been providing scholarships to Bhutanese teachers to undergo training and higher studies in Thailand.

Bhutan also strongly believes that Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), the philosophy conferred to the Thai people by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, is in line with the Gross National Happiness (GNH) concept promoted by Bhutan. Therefore, it agreed to collaborate with Thailand to implement a community development model based on the application of SEP to help achieve Bhutan’s GNH and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The close relationship between the Royal Families of the two countries helps promote bilateral relations and cooperation in many areas, including trade, investment, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and people-to-people contact. The State Visit of the King and Queen of Thailand to Bhutan will strengthen even more the bonds of friendship, goodwill, and growing cooperation between the two countries and peoples.