Saudi Arabia-Thailand Relations
UPI columnist Frank G. Anderson argues that “one theory is the Gulf rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, wherein the Saudi kingdom finds Iran’s growing influence in Thailand a disadvantage to its relations with Thailand”. Rahaf Mohammed also known as Rahaf Qunoon, is a Saudi Arabian lady who ran away to Thailand to escape the harsh rules there. Thailand police and Saudi Arabian embassy officials tried to put her on a plane back to Saudi but it was too late; other countries had offered her a refugee visa.
5 January 2019 Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, an 18-year-old Saudi woman, is detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport on route to Australia. 17-19 November 2022 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Thailand and met with Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on the sidelines of the APEC forum. This marks the first high-level visit in 3 decades between the two countries. In 2004, Saudi Arabia was 24th major market for Thai exports and 3 rd major market of Thailand in Middle East. She claims refugee status, but is threatened with return to Saudi Arabia. 25-26 January 2022 Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha makes an official 2-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invite of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
Although regardless of relation status, Saudi Arabia and Thailand have high trade between two nations (see § Economic Relations). The two Kingdoms have enjoyed warm and cordial relationships even before the establishment of formal diplomatic ties on 1 October 1957 with resident representative in their respective capitals. In recent years Saudi Arabia and Thailand have shown intent to repair the relations between the two kingdoms. The Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have long and historic relations. On January 26, 2022, both countries announced they restored full diplomatic relations and would appoint ambassadors.
Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Bangkok and Thailand has an embassy in Riyadh but representation is at the chargé d’affaires rather than ambassadorial level. Relations between the two countries were established in 1957 and hundreds of thousands of Thais went to Saudi Arabia to work. The historically friendly and strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and Thailand has deteriorated significantly following the Blue Diamond Affair. However Saudi Arabia and Thailand aim to restore the relations between their two nations.
