Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa on 25 August 2025 witnessed the signing of the first-phase procurement contract for Gripen E/F fighter aircrafts between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Sweden and the Offset Policy Agreement.

Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, Chief of Command of the Royal Thai Air Force, represented Thailand as the official signatory. This procurement marks a significant milestone in the defense partnership between Thailand and Sweden, reflecting a mutual commitment to enhancing defense capabilities, fostering technological collaboration, and supporting industrial cooperation in the defense sectors.

According to a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, beyond strengthening defense capabilities, the Offset Policy also opens up new avenues of cooperation in areas that are crucial for Thailand’s long-term development, including education and skills training, technology transfer, food and agriculture innovation, green transition, and cybersecurity.

Foreign Minister Maris is paying an official visit to Sweden on 24-26 August 2025, marking the first ministerial visit from Thailand to Sweden in seven years. 

He is scheduled to hold discussions with Ms. Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, on 26 August. On this occasion, both sides will sign the Thailand-Sweden Strategic Partnership, which demonstrates political commitment of both countries to promote and advance cooperation in the areas of mutual interest. Sweden will be the second country in Europe with Strategic Partnership relations with Thailand, after the United Kingdom.

The Minister also met leading representatives from Sweden’s private sector and academia to boost confidence in Thailand’s economic and investment policies, as well as promoting cooperation in green technology and innovation.

In his meeting with the “Team Thailand” on 24 August, the Minister emphasized the Government’s ambition and policy to pursue proactive economic diplomacy and deepen engagement in a concrete manner, through expanding cooperation on green transition and clean energy, defense industry and innovation, through the Thailand and Nordic Countries Innovation Unit (TNIU) as well as enhancing the well-being and active role of over 60,000 Thai nationals residing and working in Sweden.