On 20 August, 2025, H.E. Ms. Nitivadee Manitkul, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Norway attended the annual gathering of Ambassadors of ASEAN countries in Norway and Norwegian Ambassadors to ASEAN countries together with officials from the Royal Norwegian Foreign Ministry and business sector arranged by Singapore-Norway Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, State Secretary of the Royal Norwegan Foreign Ministry, was also invited to speak as the guest of honour.

 

In her remarks, Ambassador Nitivadee in the capacity of the Ambassador from Thailand, one of the five founders of ASEAN, addressed the success of the establishment of ASEAN thanks to the vision of the five Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore and currently expanded to 11 member countries in Southeast Asia.

 

However, amidst the current Geo-politics and Geo-economic situation, including the impacts of the US reciprocal tarriffs on nearly all countries, small and medium size countries are required to more cooperate and be partner to explore more opportunities in trade and investment. Thailand is fortunate to conclude and sign Thailand-EFTA Free Trade Agreement enabling Thailand and Norway more accessible to their markets as well as both inbound and outbound investment. Nowadays not only have Norwegian business established in Thailand but Thai companies like Thai Union Group, Thailand-based producer of seafood based products also owned the Norwegian's leading canning companies "King Oscar.

Ambassador Nitivadee also shared the updates on the Thailand-Cambodia border situation, whereby Thailand reaffirmed full commitment to the ceasefire and condemned the indiscriminate attacks by Cambodia that have resulted in losses and damages to civilians. Thailand also condemned the use of anti-personnel landmines by Cambodia that caused permanent disabilities and injuries to Thai soldiers while on patrol within the Thai territorial integrity as well as international humanitarian law and the Ottawa Convention. Thailand called on Norway as a donor country to landmine clearance efforts in Cambodia, to review Norwegian assistance and urge Cambodia to cooperate with Thailand on demining along Thailand-Cambodia border.