Bilateral Relations
The Maldives and Thailand maintain friendly relations. Official diplomatic ties between the two nations were established on 21 June 1979, and since then, the relationship has flourished, growing stronger over time.
In June 2003, Mr. Sanan Angubolkul was appointed as the Honorary Consul of the Maldives in Thailand, and in 2010, he was promoted to Honorary Consul General. The Thai Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is accredited to the Maldives, with a Thai Consulate operating in Malé since 2 December 2009. As the relationship expanded, the Maldives established its Embassy in Bangkok in 2018, further enhancing ties between the two countries.
Commercial ties between the Maldives and Thailand date back to before their formal diplomatic relationship. Thailand is a key trading partner, receiving over 50% of the Maldives' exports, mainly chilled and frozen fish. In return, Thailand supplies a variety of products to the Maldives, such as motor vehicles, fruits, and clothing. To enhance trade relations, the Maldives-Thailand Joint Trade Committee has been established.
Both bilaterally and on multilateral platforms, the two nations collaborate in areas such as education, healthcare, and environmental protection. High-level visits and diplomatic exchanges continue to strengthen their partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to mutual development.
Thailand's impact on the Maldives' hospitality sector is significant, with six Thai resort investments, including the multi-island integrated resort, Crossroads Maldives. Other prominent Thai-operated resorts include Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Mirihi Island Resort, Centara Resorts, Dusit Thani, and Amari Havodda.
People-to-people connections between the Maldives and Thailand are rapidly increasing, with more Thai nationals working in Maldivian resorts, guesthouses, and restaurants. Thai tourist arrivals surged from 3,468 in 2020 to 17,998 in 2023, reflecting a strong post-COVID recovery. Direct flights between Bangkok and Malé, operated by Bangkok Airways and AirAsia, facilitate this exchange.
Thailand has become the third most popular travel destination for Maldivians, especially for medical tourism and business trips. The recent visa waiver for Maldivian tourists is expected to further boost visits, while Thailand continues to attract a growing community of Maldivian students.
