PM Oli to Make Historic Official Visit to Thailand from April 1
26th Mar 2025
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to embark on a landmark official visit to Thailand from April 1 to 5, at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. This marks the first-ever official visit by a Nepali head of government to the Kingdom of Thailand, highlighting a new chapter in Nepal-Thailand relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Accompanied by his spouse, Radhika Shakya, Prime Minister Oli will engage in bilateral talks with his Thai counterpart to discuss various aspects of the Nepal-Thailand relationship, including cultural and economic cooperation. The visit also coincides with the Sixth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral, Technical, and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), hosted by Thailand on April 4. PM Oli will lead the Nepali delegation at the summit and address the gathering, while also engaging in discussions with leaders from other BIMSTEC member states.
Despite decades of friendly relations, this is the first official visit by a Nepali Prime Minister to Thailand. The last significant bilateral exchange occurred in 1983 when then-Prime Minister of Thailand, Prem Tinsulanonda, visited Nepal.
Prime Minister Oli’s delegation will include Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Chief Political Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Economic and Development Advisor Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, high-ranking government officials, business representatives, and media personnel.
The visit is expected to strengthen cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Notably, the Nepali Cabinet has endorsed a ‘Cultural Agreement’ and a ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation’ between Nepal and Thailand, further solidifying their collaborative efforts.
Thailand’s Ambassador to Nepal, Suwapong Sirisorn, recently paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Oli, underscoring the growing significance of bilateral ties. Nepal and Thailand established formal diplomatic relations in 1959, although cultural and people-to-people connections date back over two centuries, rooted in shared Buddhist heritage.
Nepal and Thailand’s cooperation extends across multiple sectors, including trade, tourism, investment, agriculture, and human resource development. The historic visit is anticipated to enhance these ties and open new avenues for collaboration.
Prime Minister Oli will return to Nepal on April 5.
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