Thailand

Our relationship with Thailand

We have a long-standing and warm relationship with Thailand. In 2021 New Zealand and Thailand marked the sixty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic representation.

The relationship is broad, encompassing bilateral political, security, and trade and economic links, a range of regional issues of common interest, and international issues such as disarmament and climate change.

New Zealand and Thailand work cooperatively on environmental issues. We’re both members of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which brings countries together to find ways to grow more food without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Thailand is a founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Community (APEC) meetings in 2022.

Trade

Information about New Zealand's trade with Thailand is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

Free trade agreements with Thailand

We have a free trade agreement with Thailand, concluded in 2005:

• Thailand New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership

We have regional free trade agreements that include Thailand:

• ASEAN-Australia-NZ FTA - AANZFTA
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

NZ Inc ASEAN strategy

As a member of ASEAN, Thailand is included in the NZ Inc ASEAN strategy. NZ Inc is the Government’s plan to strengthen New Zealand’s economic, political and security relationships with key international partners.

Working Holiday Scheme

Information on New Zealand’s Working Holiday Scheme with Thailand(external link) is available on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Embassies 

• New Zealand is represented in Thailand by the New Zealand Embassy.
• Thailand is represented in New Zealand by the Royal Thai Embassy.