During an official visit to the Basque Country as part of the "Thai Gastronomy Week" project—an initiative to promote Thai cuisine in Spain and Andorra—the Royal Thai Embassy, led by Ms. Supamas Yunyasit, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., met with the following high-level representatives from local authorities to discuss key strategic partnerships:
- Meeting with Mr. Ander Caballero, Secretary General for Foreign Affairs of the Basque Government (14 April 2026)
The two parties discussed comprehensive cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral levels. The Chargé d’Affaires highlighted the Thai government’s Proactive Economy policies, emphasizing the conclusion of negotiating Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (Thai-EU FTA), Thailand's goal to become a regional sustainability hub, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030), cooperation with ASEAN to foster regional stability amidst great power conflicts, with the role of the ASEAN Committee in Madrid (ACM) and the Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) group in Spain. Mr. Caballero noted that the shifting global landscape has prompted the Basque Country to focus more on Asia, citing its expertise in energy, automotive industries, biotechnology, bio-sciences, and vocational education as potential areas for synergy.
- Meeting with Mrs. Olatz Yarza Garagorri, First Deputy Mayor of San Sebastián (15 April 2026)
Discussions focused on economic, cultural, and tourism cooperation as both Thailand and San Sebastián share similar strengths in these sectors. The Chargé d'affairs highlighted the popularity of Thai cuisine in Spain, supported by 28 Thai SELECT certified restaurants nationwide and the Embassy's plan to organize the upcoming Thai Festival in Barcelona later this year.
- Meeting with Mr. Mauricio Arregui, President of the Gipuzkoa Chamber of Commerce (15 April 2026)
The discussion aimed at boosting trade and investment, focusing on target industries such as food and agriculture, renewable energy, medical tourism, and wellness. The Chargé d’Affaires invited Spanish private sectors to explore opportunities in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and the Landbridge Project, emphasizing Thailand’s position as the gateway to ASEAN. The Chamber presented the industrial strengths of Gipuzkoa, particularly in engineering, machinery manufacturing, and high-tech innovation. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to identifying new economic pathways for mutual growth.