Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, in his capacity as Special Envoy of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, delivered opening remarks at “Thailand–Ethiopia: Building Business Bridges” in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 29 August 2026.

The Advisor to the Minister highlighted the complementary economic potential of Thailand and Ethiopia. Ethiopia can serve as a gateway to East African markets, while Thailand can provide a link to markets and supply chains in Southeast Asia. 

This business mission was in line with the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI), which seeks to foster long-term partnerships between Thailand and African countries, while strengthening economic ties and connectivity between the two regions.

The event was part of a Thai business delegation’s market exploration mission to Nigeria and Ethiopia, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to create new business opportunities for the Thai private sector, in line with the Ministry’s Economic Diplomacy.

During this event, Thai and Ethiopian businesses engaged and networked with potential business partners in promising sectors, including banking and finance, agriculture and food processing, chemicals and construction materials, security technology and equipment, and energy, with a view to advancing business cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

Previously, on 28 August, the Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs provided Thailand’s financial contribution of USD 30,000 to Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director-General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in Addis Ababa to support response efforts to the Ebola outbreak.

Dr. Raji expressed appreciation to the Government of Thailand for its solidarity and support for Africa’s efforts to respond to the Ebola outbreak and expressed interest in promoting cooperation with Thailand in the field of public health, particularly through the exchange of knowledge and experiences in disease control and in strengthening public health systems.

Thailand affirmed the importance of strengthening relations with the African region, especially through TAI, with South–South cooperation serving as an avenue for exchanging experiences and building capacities. 

The Advisor to the Minister emphasized Thailand’s readiness to share its experiences in advancing Universal Health Coverage and public health systems. Thailand also plans to set up a team of experts responsible for establishing the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases to learn from and exchange experiences with Africa CDC.

Both sides agreed on expanding cooperation between Thailand and Africa CDC, particularly through knowledge-exchange, human resources development, and promoting people-to-people cooperation in the field of public health. Africa CDC expressed interest in engaging with ASEAN health cooperation mechanisms, to which Thailand stands ready to facilitate such linkages.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations, and local media.  Ambassador Dewano Kedir Haji, Director-General of the Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, also delivered remarks expressing support for the TAI policy.

Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening its role as an important strategic partner of Africa, in line with the TAI, which encompasses four key pillars: political, economic, development, and global strategic cooperation. 

He appreciated this opportunity to undertake an official visit to Ethiopia and relaunch TAI in Addis Ababa, considered to be the political and diplomatic capital of Africa as it is home to the headquarters of the African Union (AU).

He also emphasized the importance of increasing engagement between Thailand and the African region through regional organizations in Africa, including through Thailand’s role as a bridge between ASEAN and Africa, while building business networks and trade opportunities, as well as strengthening development cooperation, especially in agriculture, health, and tourism. 

Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak highlighted opportunities to play a proactive role in advancing shared priorities for developing countries as members of the Global South, such as sustainable development, addressing climate change, responding to pandemics, and combatting transnational crimes, including online scams.

Thailand first announced its TAI policy in 2013 and in December 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister relaunched the TAI to reaffirm Thailand’s partnership with the African region, including during this visit to Africa to promote and strengthen cooperation in advancing the shared interests of developing countries amid the current geopolitical landscape. 

The Deputy Prime Minister on 28 August 2026 paid a courtesy call on Mr. Taye Atske Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa, during his official visit to Ethiopia, marking his first visit to Africa since assuming office. On the same day, he also held talks with Mr. Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak and the President of Ethiopia reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Thailand-Ethiopia bilateral relations and cooperation. Thailand also underscored its commitment to advancing the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI) to deepen relations with Ethiopia, an important partner of Thailand in the Global South. 

Both sides agreed that high-level exchanges, economic cooperation, development cooperation, and global strategic cooperation – the four pillars of the TAI – would serve as key drivers of the partnership between the two countries. They recognized the potential to expand cooperation in trade, investment, medical and wellness tourism, and development cooperation. 

Thailand expressed its readiness to promote Thai private-sector investment in Ethiopia, including efforts to add value to agricultural products through technology, innovation, and processing know how. Thailand stands ready to share development experience and expertise with a view to linking development cooperation with sustainable economic opportunities.

During his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak expressed his commitment to advancing the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI) to further deepen relations with Ethiopia and strengthen cooperation with the African Union (AU). Thailand also recognized Africa’s growing role and dynamism in the international arena and viewed Africa as an important partner in the Global South.

Both sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, which will serve as an important mechanism for continuing policy dialogue and the exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed Thailand’s readiness to support Ethiopia in adding value to its products and raw materials through the application of Thailand’s innovation and technology, and agro-processing know how. Thailand also highlighted the potential to link development cooperation with private-sector engagement in order to generate tangible benefits for the people and create economic opportunities conducive to sustainable development. 

The Deputy Prime Minister on 27 August 2026 delivered a keynote speech at the Thailand–Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos, Nigeria. In his speech, he stressed the complementary economic strengths of Thailand and Nigeria and their potential to serve as gateways connecting Southeast Asia and West Africa — two regions with strong economic potential and growing business opportunities.

The Forum was part of the Thai business delegation’s program, organized in conjunction with the Deputy Prime Minister’s official visits to Nigeria and Ethiopia from 25 to 28 August 2026. By bringing a delegation of the Thai private sector to Nigeria, the Forum creates new business opportunities for the Thai private sector, builds partnership and network, and hopes to translate these connections into concrete economic benefits, in line with Thailand’s Economic Diplomacy.

On the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister attended a Lunch Talk on “Building Sustainable Partnerships: Connecting Youth, Innovation and Business between Thailand and Nigeria” in Lagos.

Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), in collaboration with Kasetsart University, Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, and CGIAR Nigeria/IITA, organized the event as a platform to exchange views on strengthening public–private-partnerships to advance development cooperation and extend its benefits to local communities and youth.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister together with Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, witnessed the signing of the Record of Discussion on Thai – Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Technology Learning Centre project among TICA, Kasetsart University, and Federal Cooperative College, Oji River. They also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Kasetsart University and Federal Cooperative College, Oji River.

The signing of both MoUs underscored Thailand’s commitment to translating the Thailand - Africa Initiative into concrete outcomes. The Thai – Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Technology Learning Centre project at Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State, is one of the flagship projects under the Thailand - Africa Development Forum. The project aims to enhance skills and knowledge in aquaculture, as well as the use of small-scale agricultural machinery, through the establishment of the Learning Centre and a Thai Corner.

The activities also exemplify Thailand’s efforts to advance development cooperation with Africa, leveraging science, technology, and innovation to build capacity and create economic opportunities, supporting Thailand’s economic diplomacy, development diplomacy, and science, research and innovation diplomacy, contributing to improved livelihoods and stronger Thailand - Africa relations.

The Ambassador said that the Royal Thai Embassy in Kathmandu has been closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant Nepalese authorities to verify the safety of Thai nationals in the affected areas. 

According to preliminary information from the Nepal Tourism Board, the status of 384 travelers — 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalese nationals — is currently being verified. So far, there have been no reports of Thai nationals killed in the incident.

The Ambassador advised Thai nationals in Nepal to closely follow official announcements, avoid affected areas, and comply with safety instructions. He reaffirmed that the Royal Thai Embassy stands ready to coordinate and provide assistance to Thai nationals around the clock.

For emergency assistance, Nepalese authorities can be contacted at 1234, the hotline at 1144, and the Nepal Tourist Police at 9851289445.

Royal Thai Embassy, Kathmandu
Tel. (+977 1) 4371410 or (+977 1) 4371411
Hotline: +977 9818749944

Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, digital technology, and services, as well as promoting private-sector linkages through enhanced cooperation between the chambers of commerce of the two countries. 

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Thailand regards Nigeria as an important strategic partner in Africa and that the two countries have potential as gateways connecting Africa and Southeast Asia. The Nigerian side, meanwhile, viewed Thailand as a successful model in various areas, including development, education, agriculture, culture and tourism, and expressed readiness to exchange knowledge and experiences in these areas.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI), which aims to promote comprehensive engagement with Africa across the pillars of political, economic and development cooperation, as well as multilateral cooperation. 

Thailand also expressed willingness to share its development experience, for example, through the Thailand - Nigerian Sustainable Agricultural Technology Learning Centre project between the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, in Enugu State, which has potential to be expanded into other areas, including trilateral cooperation among Thailand, Nigeria and other African countries, as well as regional African organization, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation, establishing a framework for consultations and advancing practical development cooperation. The signing marks an important milestone in further strengthening bilateral relations.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that he would host the Thailand - Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos on 27 August 2026, bringing together Thai businesses to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria. Both sides underscored that stronger private-sector cooperation would significantly catalyze the translation of the Thailand - Nigeria partnership into tangible outcomes.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Sirilak Niyom, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, visited the Federal Republic of Nigeria to co-chair the First Thailand–Nigeria Bilateral Consultations in Abuja on 24 August 2026, together with Mr. Grema Garba Satomi, Director of Regions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria,

On this occasion, the two sides reviewed developments in the bilateral relations and exchanged views on ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both sides also agreed that the Consultations would serve as a mechanism to further advance Thailand–Nigeria relations based on South-South Cooperation. This is in line with the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI), with a focus on strengthening cooperation on economic and sustainable development, as well as promoting mutual interests in international frameworks.

The Nigerian side expressed its readiness to support Thailand in promoting its relations with the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under Thailand’s TAI policy.

On the economic front, both sides recognized the potential to expand cooperation in food and energy security, while promoting private-sector linkages and placing importance on development cooperation. The Thai side expressed its readiness to build upon cooperation in human resource development, the exchange of agricultural and aquaculture technologies, and the development of the halal industry. 

The two sides also discussed cooperation on consular matters and combating transnational crime, particularly online scams and human trafficking, including on exchanging intelligence and strengthening the capacity of relevant agencies.

Nigeria is Thailand’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching USD 1.2 billion in 2025. It is most the populous country in Africa, with a population of more than 230 million, and has significant potential in the energy, mineral resources, timber and gemstone sectors. Nigeria is also home to the headquarters of ECOWAS and a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The opening ceremony was attended by the Hon. Dr. Bikram Timilsina, Nepal’s Minister for Information and Communications; Mr. Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation; Mr. Arjun Giri, President of the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal; and Ms. Philomena Gnanapragasam, AIBD Secretary-General, as well as AIBD executives and representatives from member countries.

The PRD Director-General stated that AI is rapidly transforming the world of communication, creating new opportunities for producing and sharing information, while also bringing challenges related to accuracy, ethics, and accountability, particularly with AI-generated content. Building media credibility and maintaining public trust are, therefore, more important than ever. She stressed that media excellence cannot be measured by technology alone, but must also be reflected in credibility, professionalism, ethics, and a commitment to serving the public interest.

These views were echoed by media leaders and representatives of regional organizations at the conference, who highlighted the importance of tackling misinformation, strengthening fact-checking, and maintaining professional standards amid the rapid growth of AI and digital platforms. They also emphasized that international cooperation and knowledge sharing will be essential in helping media organizations adapt while maintaining public trust. 

During the conference, members reviewed AIBD’s work over the past year and discussed its direction towards its 50th anniversary in 2027. Key priorities include strengthening media professionals’ skills in AI, emerging technologies, and digital transformation, alongside promoting public-interest media, disaster and climate change communication, gender equality, and the sustainability of media organizations.

AIBD also aims to translate cooperation between member countries into tangible outcomes by encouraging members to host training programmes and share knowledge, resources, and expertise. Members were also invited to propose and jointly organize activities marking AIBD’s 50th anniversary, with the Asia Media Summit 2027 in the Republic of Korea set to be one of the key events for strengthening regional media networks and cooperation. 

The 24th AIBD General Conference, therefore, serves both as an opportunity to reflect on AIBD’s journey of nearly five decades and to shape the future direction of Asia-Pacific media, with trust, public interest, and cooperation at the heart of AIBD’s path towards its 50th year.

The regional workshop was organized by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) in collaboration with the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal. It was held under the theme “Challenges and Opportunities for Broadcasting in the Era of Convergence Media.”

Ms. Vajratiya represented Thailand as an invited speaker. She delivered a presentation titled “AI-Powered Factchecking: Building a Smarter Approach to Detecting and Verifying Fake News,” highlighting the application of AI and Generative AI to support journalists and media professionals in checking, analyzing, and verifying information, as well as tackling false and misleading content.

A key highlight was the presentation of “Fake News Deep Verify,” an innovative AI-powered fact-checking platform capable of real-time verification in both Thai and English. The system integrates Large Language Models, web search, multimodal analysis, and evidence-based verification to make media fact-checking faster, more accurate, and more efficient.

The presentation attracted strong interest from participants from various countries, who exchanged views on the use of AI to tackle false information. The discussion reflected growing regional interest in harnessing technology to strengthen fact-checking and enhance media credibility.

Ms. Vajratiya’s participation as a speaker at this regional forum also highlighted the capabilities of PRD personnel. As a global winner of the Inclusive & Secure AI For Everyone (iSAFE) Hackathon 2026, her participation underscored the PRD’s commitment to applying AI to enhance media operations, strengthen information credibility, and collaborate with international media networks in addressing false information in the digital era.

On the same day, Mrs. Nutthanun Rajanakorn, Executive Director of the PRD Foreign Affairs Office, together with PRD officials, attended the AIBD Executive Board (EXBO) Meeting to help shape the future of Asia-Pacific media in the AI era. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Urbasi Basnyat of the Public Service Broadcasting Nepal, in her capacity as Vice-Chair of the EXBO. Participants were EXBO members from 10 countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Ms. Basnyat noted that emerging technologies, particularly AI, present both opportunities and challenges for public service media. She emphasized the importance of using technology for the benefit of the public, while strengthening trust in information.

According to a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sihasak will meet high-level representatives to promote Thailand’s engagement with Africa across all dimensions under the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI). The visit also aims to advance the Government’s economic diplomacy agenda by enhancing trade and investment cooperation with key emerging markets in Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ethiopia.

During the visit to Nigeria, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with Mr. Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, and Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States in Abuja. He will also lead a Thai business delegation to attend the Thailand–Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos.

In Ethiopia, the Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with Mr. Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, as well as a high-level representative of the African Union Commission. He will also host a reception to relaunch the TAI policy to members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the public and private sectors, and international organizations based in Ethiopia. 

He will also lead a Thai business delegation to attend the “Thailand - Ethiopia: Building Business Bridges” event in Addis Ababa, which aims to foster networking and strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors of the two countries.

This official visit to Nigeria and Ethiopia marks the inaugural official visit of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to the African continent, reflecting the Thai government’s commitment to advancing strategic initiatives and elevating bilateral relations with its partners in Africa.