Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow has stressed the need for Thai missions overseas to work to further elevate Thailand’s status and gain the confidence of the international community by creating opportunities for the country through closer relations with countries across the world.

The Deputy Prime Minister gave policy guidelines to ambassadors and consuls-general in Europe in the morning of 24 May 2026 in Paris, the French Republic. In attendance were ambassadors, consuls-general, chargé d’affaires, and representatives of Thai embassies from 24 countries in Europe, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ executives.

He underscored the four key approaches of Thai diplomacy that will drive foreign policy, namely (1) Diplomacy of Strategy by focusing on strategic thinking and improving work efficiency, (2) Diplomacy of Speed by responding to foreign affairs issues rapidly, accurately, and comprehensively, (3) Diplomacy of Coherence by connecting all dimensions of each issue, thereby achieving unified policies, as well as intra- and inter-agency teamwork, and (4) Diplomacy of Communications by conveying clear and concise messages that tap into public sentiment, manage public opinion, and communicate the Ministry’s key and relevant missions and objectives. This starts with an understanding of Thailand's position, identifying new opportunities for Thailand in Europe, and a readiness to drive government policies in a direction that will enhance stability for the country. In this connection, the Ministry needs to adjust the way it works and strengthen unity between the Ministry and its offices and missions abroad.

The Deputy Prime Minister then gave examples of the role and position Thailand has taken in various scenarios and amid challenges faced in the current multi-polar world in promoting regional order and managing geopolitical realities. 

He underscored the need to gradually restore relations between Thailand and Cambodia; encourage ASEAN to re-engage with Myanmar systematically, and lead with Thailand's core interests when engaging the U.S. and China, while building relations with other powers, including the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Australia, in support of Thailand’s strategic autonomy. He also underscored the importance of ASEAN Centrality and encouraged a broader view that takes into account the region's interests as a whole. 

In the afternoon of the same day, ambassadors, consuls-general, chargé d’affaires, and representatives of Thai embassies in Europe exchanged views on further ways and means to implement government policies within the European context with the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and the Minister of Culture.