Thai- Dutch relations (Royal Families and Government to Government relations)

• The Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have long span of cordial relationship since early 17th century. The Thai Royal Archives provide records of communications, which show that the two Royal Courts have been exchanging gifts and visits since then. Thailand has enjoyed diplomatic relations with the Netherlands for 417 years.

• Last year marked the milestone of the 60^th anniversary of the state visit of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother to the Netherlands in 1960. Their Majesties were warmly received by Her Majesty Queen Juliana and His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard. Their Majesties brought back to Thailand valuable knowledge from the Dutch in sustainable development fields especially water management and science.

• Later in 2004, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and the then Crown Prince Willem-Alexander paid a state visit to Thailand on the celebratory occasion of the 400^th  anniversary of Thai-Dutch relations. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix graciously founded the Information Centre on the History of Thai-Dutch Relations or ‘Baan Hollanda’, as a Royal Gift to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. Baan Hollada located on the original site of the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, or VOC) in Ayutthaya province. VOC was the principal Western trader in Siam (former name of Thailand). Baan Hollada reflects this long historical span of Dutch’s ingenuity in commercial, engineering and diplomacy in Asia, particularly in Siam. Throughout the years, royal visits between the two Royal Families have continually been exchanged on auspicious occasions and royal ceremonies.

• In term of government to government relations, the Governments of Netherlands and Thailand have entered into broad spectrum of cooperation. In 2018, both governments launched the framework of political consultation with a view to further promoting their bilateral cooperation in various dimensions, particularly in the areas of sustainability, water management, logistics, food and agriculture. In 2019, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand paid an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Stef Blok, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, in The Hague. They discussed a wide range of existing bilateral cooperation, including food and agriculture, water management, and logistics, and explored possible avenues to expand cooperation to other areas. This ministerial meeting built upon the momentum of spirit of cooperation from the summitry meeting between the Thai-Dutch Prime Ministers in 2018 on the margins of the 12th Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Brussels. In September 2020, the 1^st Thai-Netherlands virtual Political Consultation was co-hosted by the high-level officials of the two countries. Both sides had an opportunity to discuss various topics focusing on economy and the need to strengthen cooperation in response to COVID19.  

• In terms of people to people connection, Thailand has been one of the favourites destination for the Dutch travellers. Pre-COVID-19 time, more than 200,000 Dutch tourists visited Thailand on an annual basis.

• Thailand and the Netherlands have built rich histories and named as world leading traders in agricultural produce. Both countries share many commonalities particularly in innovation, sustainable development, and being open and vibrant societies.

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