Following general elections on 24 March 2019, a multi-party coalition government was sworn in on 16 July 2019. On 14 October 2019, the Foreign Affairs Council considered it appropriate for the EU to take steps towards broadening its engagement with Thailand, including on issues of human rights, fundamental freedoms, and democratic pluralism.

Since then, work has progressed to prepare for the signature of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA). The PCA could provide a comprehensive framework that would dramatically increase cooperation between the EU and Thailand.

In 2021, trade between the EU and Thailand amounted to €35.4 billion (approximately THB 1.3 trillion) and making the EU the 4th largest trading partner of Thailand.

The EU is Thailand's fourth largest export market. In 2021, exports from Thailand to the EU totalled about €22.1 billion (approx. THB 816 billion).

The EU is the third largest importer to Thailand. In 2021, total imports from the EU to Thailand amounted to around €13.3 billion (approx. THB 491 billion).

Figures for 2021 show the key exports from Thailand to the EU include machinery and mechanical appliances (26.4% of total exports from Thailand); electrical machinery/equipment and electronic appliances (23%); automotive and its parts (8.7%); rubber products (8.2%); gems and jewellery including precious metals (5.4%); optical, photographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments (5.1%); textile and clothing (3.4%); plastic products (2.3%); meat and fishery products (1.9%).

Key EU exports to Thailand Thailand include machinery and mechanical appliances (18.4% of total exports to Thailand); electrical machinery/equipment and electronic appliances (13.6%); pharmaceutical products (8.7%); chemicals (6.9%); automotive and its parts (6.5%); optical, photographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments (5.3%); gems and jewellery including precious metals (3.8%); plastic products (3.6%); iron/steel articles (1.9%); furskins (1.8%); rubber products (1.8%); aircraft and its parts (1.8%).

In order to further deepen their trade and investment relationship, the EU and Thailand launched negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in March 2013. Both sides want a comprehensive agreement covering subjects such as:

• Trade tariffs and non-tariff measures,
• Services,
• Investment,
• Public procurement,
• Intellectual property,
• Regulatory issues and,
• Sustainable development.

The negotiations were suspended in April 2014. Following the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU on 14 October 2019, steps are being taken towards the resumption of negotiations based on a common understanding of an ambitious and comprehensive FTA.

 On 15 March 2023, the EU and Thailand announced the relaunch of negotiations for an ambitious, modern and balanced free trade agreement (FTA), with sustainability at its core. This announcement confirms the key importance of the Indo-Pacific region for the EU trade agenda, paving the way for deeper trade ties with Thailand, the second largest economy in South-East Asia, and further strengthening the EU's strategic engagement with this burgeoning region.

You can follow updates about the negotiations here: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/thailand/eu-thailand-agreement_en

The Cooperation Section is the extended arm in Thailand of the Directorate Generate for International Partnerships.  

It is responsible for the formulation of the EU’s international partnerships and sustainable development policies in Thailand. 

The Cooperation Section for International Partnerships contributes to the European Union’s external relations policy and priorities by developing partnership in Thailand in five main areas: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience; Science, Technology & Innovation and Digitalisation; Sustainable Growth & Jobs; Migration and Durable Solutions for Refugees; and Governance, Peace and Security & Human Development. 

The ultimate goal of the EU, through its cooperation section, is to address inequalities by building inclusive and sustainable societies and to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law. 

We support Thailand on its path towards sustainable development, adapting our projects and initiatives to the evolving needs and gradual development of the country. We base our collaboration on international laws and multilateralism, notably, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.  

We work closely with our key partners including the Royal Thai Government, civil society and think tank organisations, UN agencies, the private sector as well as other stakeholders and partners, sharing the same values and aiming towards sustainable development.  

We place great emphasis on actions aimed at strengthening gender equality and women empowerment and promoting the inclusion of young people, ensuring that no one is left behind.    

Current EU-supported projects are implemented across Thailand, including in the Deep South. EU-funded projects primarily focus on health, migration, human rights, environment and climate change, trade and private sector development, sustainable consumption and production, social and human development.  

Moreover, as part of the EU COVID-19 response, recovery and preparedness projects paying special attention to vulnerable populations form a key part of our portfolio.  

In addition to the project and initiatives mentioned above, Thai authorities and civil society organisations actively participate in regional and thematic programmes. 

The EU’s humanitarian aid arm began its operations in Thailand in 1995, supporting all of its humanitarian projects across Asia and the Pacific. Headquartered in Bangkok, it has responded to numerous natural and man-made crises across the region, with funding for these activities exceeding €120 million. 

While much of this aid was previously channelled towards providing essential humanitarian assistance to Burmese refugees living in camps along the Thai border, the responses in recent years have focused on meeting the humanitarian needs of refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Thailand. Current programmes include providing protection services and health care assistance to Rohingya refugees living in detention centres in the country. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, prevention materials, such as personal protective equipment, have been provided to the refugees. Meanwhile, awareness-raising campaigns and workshops have also been organised to prevent the further spread of the virus, as well as to address the increased COVID-19-related stigma experienced by the Rohingya and other migrants. 

Given the multi-faceted challenges in southern Thailand—the protracted conflict, ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recurring natural hazards—the EU invests in supporting the most vulnerable communities, as well as our humanitarian partners, to be as best prepared as they can for disasters and crises. The overall aim is to build the country’s capacity to better prepare and respond to natural hazards with special consideration to protection and the well-being of children, particularly in times of crises.

In addition, the EU provides emergency relief assistance during natural disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 floods.