(AseanAll)  — On July 17, 2026, at the Shanghai World Reception Hall, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul had a bilateral meeting with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 

The Prime Minister thanked President of Kazakhstan for the invitation to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan in 2027, which will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Kazakhstan. He also extended an invitation for the President of Kazakhstan to pay an official visit to Thailand. Both leaders commended regular exchange of visits and interactions between Government and private sectors of the two countries, which play an important role in continuously advancing mutual cooperation.

Kazakhstan is Thailand’s largest trading partner in Central Asia, and Thailand is ready to serve as Kazakhstan’s gateway to the ASEAN market. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, i.e., healthcare tourism, medical services, food security, hospitality, artificial intelligence (AI), energy, and rare minerals, on which the Prime Minister proposed further consultations between relevant agencies of the two countries.

He also thanked Kazakhstan for supporting Thailand’s initiative to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which would enhance trade, investment, and economic expansion opportunities, benefiting the people of both countries. He expressed hope that Kazakhstan would support the early launch of negotiations.

The two leaders also agreed to support expansion of new flight routes to promote tourism and people-to-people connectivity. Thailand remains a popular destination for Kazakh tourists, while the Thai people are increasingly interested in traveling to Kazakhstan.

The Prime Minister and the President also agreed on the importance of open multilateral frameworks that uphold international rules. Thailand expressed readiness to work closely with Kazakhstan within key international cooperation frameworks and to support Kazakhstan’s increasing role in ASEAN, as well as collaboration on important global community issues.