Overview
Thailand is an upper-middle income nation in Southeast Asia and member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with a population of over 70 million. In recent decades, the country has undergone rapid economic development and growth. However, it faces significant challenges related to climate change, including frequent floods and droughts.
Thailand has developed key policies such as the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model. Furthermore, Thailand plays a pivotal role in ASEAN cooperation, including as ASEAN lead on Sustainable Development.
Our partnership
Thailand and the EU have established a long-standing partnership in Asia, working together to support a rules-based international order and committing to fostering mutual prosperity and growth. This partnership was further solidified in 2022 with the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
The EU has allocated EUR 25 million to the partnership with Thailand for the 2021-2027 period. This funding supports a broad spectrum of policy dialogues and cooperation initiatives across various sectors, aligning with EU policy frameworks such as the Global Gateway and Indo-Pacific Strategy. Key areas of collaboration include sustainable development, environmental and climate change mitigation, trade, as well as higher education, research, and innovation.
As a member of ASEAN, Thailand also benefits from several multi-country programmes and cooperates with the EU at regional level.
EU-Thailand partnership documents can be found in the 'Related documents' section below.
Our key initiatives
- Supporting the external dimension of the Green Deal
The EU works with Thailand on three critical environmental actions: driving green investment, strengthening sustainable development, and fighting deforestation. Specific projects include:
- Supporting smallholders in Thailand comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation.
- Strengthening Thailand’s implementation of the UN SDGs at the local level.
- Promoting sustainable consumption and production along with the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and circular economy.
- Defending human rights as the basis for human development
The EU is working on human rights with Thailand on three fronts: strengthening a pro-democratic civil society, supporting refugees and migrant rights, and supporting labour rights. Specific actions include:
- Financing human rights and democracy initiatives, such as preventing torture and enforced disappearances.
- Building up networks of civil society organisations oriented around youth, women’s rights, climate, and more.
- Supporting Myanmar refugees and host communities near the Myanmar border.
- Promoting corporate responsibility in global supply chains and protecting labour rights, for example of migrant workers in the fishing sector.
- Ensuring decent work and reducing vulnerabilities for women and children involved in labour migration.
- Trade and connectivity
The EU and Thailand cooperate on abroad range of issues, from research and higher education to economic integration. EU-Thai cooperation is often part of wider Southeast Asian initiatives, including those under the purview of ASEAN. Specific projects include:
- Technical assistance on competition policy, public procurement, and organic agriculture.
- Supporting the Southeast Asia Regional Economic Corridor and Connectivity Project (SEARECC) to improve Southeast Asian trade and climate resilient transport connectivity.
- Supporting ports safety ,Supporting civil aviation and passenger ship safety programmes.
- Contributing to the expansion of electricity grids interconnection projects in Southeast Asia.
- Forging research and education partnerships between EU and Thai institutions, including through Erasmus+.
- Funding high quality internet connectivity between research and education communities in Asia and globally.
