Thailand - Hungary relationship

1. Diplomatic relations

Thailand and Hungary enjoyed long-term relationship for 152 years since the Signing of the Treaty of Amity, Trade and Navigation between the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the Kingdom of Siam on 17 May 1872. H.M. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) of Thailand visited the Austro-Hungarian Empire as part of the Royal visit to Europe in 1897.

The Diplomatic relations between Thailand and Hungary were officially established on 24 October 1973. The Hungarian Embassy was opened in Bangkok in 1978 (with the consular jurisdiction covering Myanmar and Lao PDR) and the Royal Thai Embassy in Budapest was established in 1989 (with the consular jurisdiction covering Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo).

The present Ambassador of Hungary to Thailand is H.E. Mr. Sándor Sipos and the Ambassador of Thailand to Hungary is H.E. Mr. Bhakavat Tanskul.

Thai Ambassadors to Hungary

1. H.E. M.R. Suttiswat Kridakorn
2. H.E. Ms. Tasanee Bunnag
3. H.E. Mr. Pradap Pipulsonggram
4. H.E. Mr. Chalermpon Ake-uru
5. H.E. Mr. Tawatchai Piyarat
6. H.E. Mr. Piamsak Milintachinda
7. H.E. Mr. Krit Kraichitti
8. H.E. Mr. Sompong Sanguanbun
9. H.E. Mrs. Kanthong Unakul
10. H.E. Mr. Jakkrit Srivali
11. H.E. Mr. Bhakavat Tanskul
12. H.E. Mr. Nipon Petchpornprapas (Current Ambassador)

2. Economic field

Tourism

In 2020, Hungarian tourists visited Thailand for a total of 17,499 people, which represent a significant decrease due to COVID-19. The Thai tourists visited Hungary around 7,000 people yearly.

Hungarian people usually travel to Thailand. The number of Hungarian visitors has increased in the last 2-3 years, especially in the categories of group family leisure trip, honeymooners and elders.

Educational field

Thailand and Hungary have education cooperation whereby Hungary offers 40 “Stipendium Hungaricum” scholarships per year to Thai students to pursue their studies in Hungary at the Bachelor, Master and Doctorate levels. The numbers of the Thai scholarship recipients are 28 students in 2018, 13 students in 2019 and 40 students in 2020.

Trade and Economic relations

1. Trade

Thailand and Hungary established the Join Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) and have organized the JCEC meetings in 2005 and 2015 in Budapest.

            1.1 Trade Value

            In 2020, the total of trade between both countries amounts 708.66 million USD (7.5% increase from 2019) whereby Thailand gains trade surplus of 397.22 million USD (44% increase from 2019). Thailand exports to Hungary 552.94 million USD (34% increase from 2019) and imports 155.72 million USD (23% increase from 2019).

            1.2 Hungary ranked the 53^rd largest trading partner of Thailand. Main export commodities of Thailand are vehicles and automotive parts, computers and components (data processing units), pumps for liquid, parts for spark-ignition, printed circuits, agricultural products and rubber. (Source : Office of Commercial Affairs of Thailand in Budapest, Sep 2021)

            1.4 Main import commodities from Hungary to Thailand are machines and accessories, electrical machinery and accessories, pharmaceutical products, medical and scientific products.

2. Investment

            2.1 Hungarian investment in Thailand

            According to the statistics from BOI during 1970 - 2021, Investment of 5 Hungarian projects were approved with the total values of 1,193 million Baht (37 million USD) including :

1. Solar panel manufacturing by Bangkok Solar Company
2. Aquapark (water theme park) in Phuket by Csenkil Company
3. Production of Electricity wire by Amada Cable and Wire Harness Company
4. Production of Tropical fruit wine

            2.2 Thai investment in Hungary

            Thai President Foods Ltd. established Thai President Foods (Hungary) in Esztergom since 2013 and produces instant noodle under the brands Thai Chef and Mama for the European market.

4. Science and technology

            In 2019, Thailand and Hungary have signed an MOU on Cooperation in Water Resources Management. Both sides have exchanged knowledge and experiences as well as jointly conducted water related activities. The Joint Steering Committee (JSC) was established as implementing authority to push forward the cooperation.