Thailand–Bahrain Relations

1. Overview

The Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Bahrain established diplomatic relations on 17 January 1977. Bilateral relations have developed rapidly following the opening of the Royal Thai Embassy in Manama on 14 February 2004, and the opening of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Thailand on 7 November 2007.

Bahrain is one of Thailand's key partners in the Middle East and serves as an important gateway connecting Thailand with other countries in the region. Bilateral relations are close and cordial.

2. Political Relations

Thailand and Bahrain share mutual understanding and support for each other's political developments. The two countries maintain an institutional framework for bilateral cooperation through the Thai–Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC), which has convened three meetings:

2004 in Manama;
2012 in Bangkok; and
2018 in Manama.

3. Economy, Trade, Investment and Tourism

3.1 Trade

In 2024, Bahrain was Thailand's eighth-largest trading partner in the Middle East. Bilateral trade amounted to USD 542.60 million, representing an increase of 42.36 percent compared with the previous year. Thailand's exports to Bahrain totaled USD 179.28 million, while imports amounted to USD 363.30 million, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 184.04 million.

Thailand's principal exports to Bahrain include:

• Automobiles, parts and accessories;
• Gems and jewellery;
• Wood and wood products;
• Machinery and components; and
• Refrigerators, freezers and parts.

Thailand's principal imports from Bahrain include:

• Refined petroleum products;
• Other metal ores, metal scrap and metal products;\
• Chemicals;
• Fertilizers and pesticides; and
• Fresh, chilled, frozen, processed and semi-processed seafood.

3.2 Investment

Thai private sector investment in Bahrain remains limited. In 2021, Thai investment in Bahrain totaled USD 16.98 million. During the third quarter of 2022, Bahraini investment in Thailand amounted to approximately USD 21.86 million. Bahrain currently has one investment project promoted by Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI), in the hospitality sector.

3.3 Tourism

In 2024, 33,519 Bahraini tourists visited Thailand, an increase of 28.57 percent over the previous year. During the same period, 14,388 Thai nationals traveled to Bahrain.

Holders of ordinary Bahraini passports are exempt from visa requirements for entry into Thailand and may stay for up to 60 days. Holders of ordinary Thai passports may obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) upon entry into Bahrain, allowing a stay of up to 14 days.

Bahraini visitors travel to Thailand primarily for tourism and medical treatment.

4. Sectoral Cooperation

4.1 Public Health

Bahrain places high priority on cooperation in the field of public health, particularly by encouraging Thai investment in the healthcare sector.

In March 2019, Prince of Songkla University and Bahrain's Ministry of Health signed a Memorandum of Understanding on academic cooperation. Under this framework, the university has continuously participated in Bahrain's Visiting Doctor Programme.

Between 2018 and 2020, three medical specialists from Prince of Songkla University visited Bahrain in the following fields:

• Pediatric Ophthalmology (September 2018);
• Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (November 2019); and
• Pediatric Gastroenterology (January 2020).

4.2 Food Security

On 5 July 2018, Thailand's Ministry of Commerce hosted the First Joint Steering Committee (JSC) Meeting under the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Food Security, Trade and Investment in Agricultural Products and Commodities, with particular emphasis on halal food, in Bangkok.

The meeting agreed to prioritize cooperation in three product categories:

• Sugar;
• Fisheries; and
• Poultry.
  

Both sides also agreed to strengthen the role of the private sector and expand cooperation in the halal industry.

In addition, the Ministries of Agriculture of both countries established a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Agricultural Cooperation to discuss issues including:

• the negotiation of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA);
• knowledge transfer on hydroponics;
• smart farming; and
• aquaculture.
  

4.3 Energy Cooperation

Under the Agreed Minutes of the Third HJC Meeting, Thailand and Bahrain agreed to promote cooperation in energy and energy security, covering both conventional and renewable energy sources.

Priority areas include cooperation in:

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation; and
• Solar thermal energy.

* * * * *

Department of South Asian, Middle Eastern and African Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand

(As of April 2025)