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![]() South Africa | ![]() Thailand |
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Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of South Africa, Bangkok | Royal Thai Embassy, Pretoria |
South Africa and Thailand established bilateral relations in 1992. [1] Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, Group of 77, Cairns Group, G20 developing nations and the Indian-Ocean Rim Association.
During the Cold War, South Africa and Thailand were both members of the Western bloc and actively supported the anti-communist front. However, the Thai government opposed South Africa's apartheid policies, therefore the two nations never established formal diplomatic ties [2]
Following the end of the Cold War, Executive State President Frederik Willem de Klerk ended the apartheid regime and started mending relations with other nations, including Thailand. [3] The two nations established consular relations on 9 March 1992 and decided to open general consulates in each other's major cities. The two nations established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on December 9 of the following year, and ever since then, their relations have grown. [4] [5]
In July 1997, President Nelson Mandela of South Africa made a two-day state visit to Thailand. [6] [ failed verification ] In 1999, Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand paid a visit to South Africa as the featured speaker at the International Conference on "Women, Science and Technology for Sustainable Human Development" and the Second Conference of the Third World Women's Science Organization. [7]
Thailand promised support, anticipating stronger cooperation, in recognition of South Africa's achievement as the first African nation to be granted Sectoral Dialogue Partner status with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on 11 July 2023. [8] Thailand also praised South Africa for actively chairing the Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative (FPGH), providing ongoing assistance and aiming to share its effective Universal Health Coverage program. [9]
With more than $3.2 billion in two-way commerce in 2017, Thailand is regarded as South Africa's greatest commercial partner in Southeast Asia, and South Africa is Thailand's major trading partner in Africa. Thailand sought to collaborate closely with South Africa in 2018 hoping to boost investment and trade in sectors that would benefit both nations, such as the hotel, agricultural, and automotive industries. [1]
Total exports from Thailand to South Africa reached $2.01 billion in 2020. Thailand's primary exports include agricultural goods like rice and industrial goods like internal combustion engines and car parts. After Egypt and Angola, South Africa is Thailand's third-largest African import partner with $473 million in exports. Thailand is the primary destination for South Africa's exports of centrifuges, chemicals, and aluminum ore. [10]
Date | Sign | Remark |
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1993 | Aviation Services Agreement | [12] |
1993 | Visa Exemption Agreement for Ordinary Passports | [12] |
1996 | Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion | [12] |
1999 | Agreement on Visa Exemption for Diplomatic and Official Passports | [12] |
2001 | Bilateral Trade Agreement | [12] |
2003 | Joint Statement on the Establishment of the Joint Trade Commission | [12] |
India, officially the Republic of India, has full diplomatic relations with 201 states, including Palestine, the Holy See, and Niue. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the government agency responsible for the conduct of foreign relations of India. With the world's third largest military expenditure, second largest armed force, fifth largest economy by GDP nominal rates and third largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, India is a prominent regional power and a rising superpower.
The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as a Dominion of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa, particularly Southern Africa. South Africa is a member of the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. Considered a possible permanent addition to the United Nations Security Council, South Africa was elected in 2006, 2010 and 2018 by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Security Council. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chair of the African Union from 2020 to 2021, the second time South Africa has chaired the organisation since its formation in 2003.
Brazil–South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa. Both nations are members of the BRICS, Cairns Group, G20, Group of 24, Group of 77 and the United Nations.
The current and historical relations between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of South Africa, for over a century. Both nations are members of the Cairns Group, G20, Group of 77 and the United Nations.
Egypt-South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between of Egypt and South Africa. The first South African mission in Egypt was established in 1942 as a Consulate-General. Egypt maintained diplomatic relations with South Africa until 1961.
Finnish-South African relations are foreign relations between Finland and South Africa. Diplomatic relations established May 15, 1949. A South African legation was established in 1967 and relations were then upgraded to ambassadorial level in March 1991. Finland has an embassy in Pretoria, a general consulate in Johannesburg and a consulate in Cape Town. South Africa is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Australia and Uruguay have had consular relations since 1923 and diplomatic relations since 1948. Australia is represented in Uruguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires (Argentina). Uruguay has an embassy in Canberra a consulate general in Sydney.
The nations of Mexico and South Africa established diplomatic relations in 1993. Bilateral relations between both nations have been characterized by a good level of political dialogue and by the mutual recognition of the leadership and involvement exercised by both countries in their respective regions.
Indonesia and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1955. Indonesia has an embassy in Hanoi and a consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City while Vietnam has an embassy in Jakarta. Both are neighboring nations that have a maritime border which lies on the South China Sea and are members of ASEAN and APEC.
Filipino–Thai relations refers to the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Thailand. The Philippines established formal diplomatic relations with Thailand on June 14, 1949. The relations between the two are described as warm and friendly. Thailand is one of the Philippines' major trade partners and one of the Philippines' sources of rice through Thai exports. Bilateral relations continues to be strengthened through talks and agreements on economic, security and cultural matters including concerns on rice trade, fight on drugs and human trafficking. Thailand has an embassy in Manila and an honorary consulate in Cebu, while the Philippines maintains an embassy in Bangkok. Both countries are members of ASEAN and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Indonesia and South Africa established formal diplomatic relations on 12 August 1994. The South African Embassy in Jakarta was established in January 1995, and Indonesia opened its embassy in Pretoria in 1995. Both nations are members of numerous organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Non-Aligned Movement, Indian-Ocean Rim Association, Cairns Group, CIVETS and G-20 major economies. In 2012, during a briefing on Foreign Policy initiatives for 2012, Indonesia named South Africa amongst its 14 strategic partners and Dutch colonial period East Indies overseas countries.
The Czech Republic and the Republic of Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1950. Both nations have agreed to forge ties to deepen relations, especially in the business and trade sector. Indonesia has an embassy in Prague, while the Czech Republic has an embassy in Jakarta that is also accredited to Brunei, Timor Leste, Singapore and ASEAN.
Mexico–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. Both nations are members of the United Nations.
The Republic of Singapore and the Republic of South Africa are independent countries which have achieved independence from Great Britain and currently maintain friendly bilateral relations. The connections between the two countries are based primarily on their membership in the Commonwealth of Nations, and their interactions in international trade and tourism. Both countries also cooperate in social and economic development issues.
Poland–South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between Poland and South Africa. Both nations are members of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Madagascar–South Africa relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Madagascar and South Africa. Both nations are members of the African Union, Group of 77, Non-Aligned Movement and the Southern African Development Community.
Saudi Arabia-South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Riyadh. Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the G20 major economies.
Brazil and Thailand began diplomatic relations in 1959. Brazil is Thailand's main trading partner in Latin America. The two nations are members of the G20 developing nations, Non-Aligned Movement, World Trade Organization (WTO) and Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.
Egypt and Thailand began diplomatic relations in 1954. Egypt is the first Arab nation with whom Thailand has formal diplomatic ties. There are no political disputes between the two parties, and they have improved their mutual collaboration and established cordial connections in a number of sectors through the use of the current mechanisms—political consultation at the senior official level and the Joint Commission at the foreign ministry level. The two nations are members of the G20 developing nations, Non-Aligned Movement and the World Trade Organization (WTO). In 2012, around 2331 Thais reside in Egypt.