Thailand Strengthens Ties with Italy, Eyes Schengen Visa Waiver

[webfact]

 

Thailand and Italy have committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced this after a fruitful meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his official visit to Italy. The discussions aimed to bolster economic, cultural, and technological ties between the two nations.

 

A significant outcome from the talks is Italy's support for Thailand's proposal to secure a Schengen visa waiver for ordinary Thai passport holders. This move could greatly simplify travel for Thai citizens within the Schengen Area, pending approval from other Schengen states, thanks in part to Italy's clout as the current president of the G7.

 

Trade and investment were also high on the agenda. Meloni pledged backing for Thailand's ambitions to establish a free trade agreement with Italy. Both countries are exploring potential collaborations in the fashion and design industries, reflecting their mutual interest in these sectors.

 

In terms of clean energy, Italy is keen to participate in Thailand’s initiatives to explore new natural gas sources in the overlapping claims areas with Cambodia. This aligns with Italy’s focus on sustainable energy solutions and Thailand’s energy diversification efforts.

 

 

The labour sector saw a notable proposal from Italy, suggesting that Thailand could supply more seasonal workers for Italy’s agricultural needs during harvest seasons. This proposal fits into Thailand’s strategy to provide higher-paying job opportunities for its citizens abroad.

 

Investment opportunities were another critical topic, particularly Italian investments in Thailand’s Land Bridge megaproject and airport expansions. Such investments are crucial for Thailand’s infrastructure development, and Italy’s expertise in these areas could prove invaluable.

 

By July 1, direct flights between Bangkok and Milan will commence, with flights between Bangkok and Rome following in the winter, enhancing connectivity and encouraging tourism and business travel.

 

PM Srettha’s European trip continues with planned visits to France and Japan. Upcoming travel plans include trips to India, Africa, and Turkey, as Thailand actively seeks to strengthen international partnerships.

 

Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

-- 2024-05-23

 

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[JoePai]

In your dreams

[drrobert]

The European Union negotiates free trade deals on behalf of all of its member states, as the member states have granted the EU has an "exclusive competence" to conclude trade agreements.

[drrobert]

"This move could greatly simplify travel for Thai citizens within the Schengen Area, pending approval from other Schengen states, thanks in part to Italy's clout as the current president of the G7." - G7 has nothing to do with EU!

 

Dreams go on and on and on. Maybe time for a Schengen visa hub!

[Dogmatix]

Telling Thais he is going to get them exemption from Schengen visas is like the airforce saying the US would sell them F-35s.  Both knew it was impossible but playing childish political games.  Perhaps Srettha hoped to distract publish attention from his outrageous appointment of the Thaksin's corrupt 2 million baht in a cookie box lawyer who took the hit for him like so many others.  

[proton]

Whats in it for Italy apart from Thai over stayers working illegally?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Trade and investment were also high on the agenda. Meloni pledged backing for Thailand's ambitions to establish a free trade agreement with Italy. Both countries are exploring potential collaborations in the fashion and design industries, reflecting their mutual interest in these sectors.

She does know about Thailands knock-off fake Italian designer bags right?

[John Drake]

How does Italy's role in the G7 affect visa waivers for Schengen (just three out of the seven G7 members)?

[Enzian]

So this will mean I can get a Nero d'Avola red in Thailand for just a few % more than in Sicily (6 Euros and up), or a drinkable Amarone della Valpolicella from the Veneto at the same price as at Trader Joe's in California (around $25 with tax)? I can't wait! 

[Purdey]

Meloni is kind of to the right on Italian politics. How will she feel about Thai migrants taking jobs and not paying taxes?

[ikke1959]

Schengen countries must all agree to a visa waiver for Thailand and that will never happen, as there are too many Thais already overstaying/illegal working in other countries.. And not all Schengen countries are also EU members

Edited May 23 by ikke1959

[bkk6060]

The PM boss sure must be enjoying all this wonderful travel to places Thais will never be able to go.  

[John Drake]

Srettha managed to get a news story where Thailand ("Thai") and G7 were in the same sentence. Success!

[Caldera]

The insane number of Thais who have been found overstaying and/or working illegally in South Korea and Japan since having been granted visa-exempt entry to those countries MIGHT not go down well with some Schergen countries!