The invitation from the Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid Abdulaziz-Falih, to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai to visit Saudi Arabia came just a few hours after the provisional results of the May 14 election were made known. With equal speed, the Thai side responded positively and gathered a 40-member high-level delegation composed of officials and private sector representatives. The caretaker government did not want to let go the momentum which began when Saudi-Thai relations resumed in January 2022.
Riyadh's move was a big surprise, considering the current government is limited to a caretaker role until the next government is formed. Nonetheless, Thailand wanted to seize the unique opportunity to enhance the partnership between both nations' state agencies as well as the private sector. Both nations are eager to strengthen economic and investment relations with each other. After 32 years of frozen ties, a total of 30 bilateral memorandums of understanding, agreements were signed between the two governments and private sectors, and their leaders exchanged visits within a short period after ties were normalised. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visited in January last year. In return, Thailand also hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the guest of honour at the last Asia-Pacific Economic Community Leaders' Meeting.
