From 22 to 28 March 2025, H.E. Mrs. Piyapin Niyomrerks, Ambassador of Thailand to Kazakhstan, assigned Dr. Orathai Phubunlap Gunaseelan, Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy in Astana, to lead a delegation of representatives from Kazakhstan’s trade and logistics sectors, namely QazTrade and KZT Express (a multimodal transport and logistics company under Kazakhstan Railways – Temir Zholy, the national railway operator), alongside representatives from Kazakh Tourism and the Kazakhstan Tourism Association, to participate in the Embassy’s strategic project entitled “Thailand’s Economic, Trade, and Tourism Opportunities in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the Eurasian Region.”

As part of the programme, the Kazakh delegation provided valuable and in-depth insights on promoting trade between Kazakhstan and international partners. Special emphasis was placed on freight transport routes into and through Kazakhstan to neighbouring countries and regions, particularly the Trans-Caspian International Trade Route, commonly referred to as the Middle Corridor. The delegation also explored avenues to strengthen tourism cooperation between Thai and Kazakh stakeholders in the tourism sector.

A key highlight of the project was a seminar held on 24 March 2025, co-hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Astana, the Institute of Asian Studies, and the Transportation Institute of Chulalongkorn University. The event aimed to promote economic, trade, and tourism opportunities for Thailand in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the wider Eurasian region. It brought together representatives from various sectors, including the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, who actively exchanged views and shared insights with Kazakh counterparts.

Dr. Orathai also led the Kazakh delegation on a study visit to Thailand’s key logistics and transportation agencies, whereby the delegation engaged in fruitful discussions with senior executives of respective agencies. This included a site visit to TIPS Co., Ltd. at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi Province. The delegation also met with Mr. Ek Sitthivekin, Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, who led a tour of the Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal, showcasing Thailand’s rail transport excellence. Furthermore, the group paid a courtesy call on Mr. Poramet Ngampichet, Mayor of Pattaya City, and met with local tourism business operators in Pattaya and Chonburi Province to explore opportunities for enhanced tourism cooperation between Pattaya and Kazakhstan.

The Embassy’s initiative “Thailand’s Economic, Trade, and Tourism Opportunities in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the Eurasian Region” is part of its broader strategy to promote Thailand’s Proactive Economic Diplomacy in emerging markets. The project seeks to strengthen partnerships between Thai private sector entities and their counterparts in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, while enhancing access to market information and raising awareness on Kazakhstan economic potentials as well as relevant import regulations to facilitate the movement of goods from Thailand to Kazakhstan and beyond, thereby supporting Thai business venture in the region.