A Thai government delegation recently held a strategic dialogue in London with major UK private-sector players and importers. The goal was to enhance the value of Thai agricultural and food exports, promote Thai investment in the UK, and pave the way for a future Free Trade Agreement.
The delegation was led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and included senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce, the Department of International Trade Promotion, the Board of Investment (BOI), and the Thai Embassy in London.
Major companies attending included Selfridges, CP Intertrade, Boonrod Brewery (Singha), Chang Beer, Thai Tana, Asco, Manning Impex, Patara Restaurants, and Bangkok Bank (PLC). Discussions covered expanded access for Thai food and lifestyle products, reduction of trade barriers, especially for processed chicken, and smoother entry for Thai professionals such as chefs and massage therapists.
The Prime Minister instructed Team Thailand agencies to coordinate efforts that will drive tangible trade and investment growth with the UK and eventually across the European Union.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the UK ranked as Thailand’s fourth-largest trading partner in Europe in 2024. Bilateral trade totaled 6.66 billion US Dollars, with Thai exports accounting for 4.19 billion dollars—up 7.06%—, and imports from the UK at 2.46 billion dollars—down 16.63%.
Top Thai exports to the UK include processed chicken, machinery and components, jewelry, motorcycles and parts, and automobiles. Food categories with strong performance include frozen and chilled chicken, ready-to-eat meals, seasonings, canned seafood, rice, preserved fruits, and beverages.
This meeting marks a strategic push to position Thailand as a premium food exporter and investment partner in the post-Brexit UK market, aligning soft power with long-term economic strategy.
Source: NNT
