Thailand

Overall, Thailand and India exhibit a high degree of voting alignment on many issues within the UN General Assembly, particularly concerning sustainable development, disarmament, and human rights, reflecting their shared interests as developing nations within groups like the G77. Specific areas of strong alignment include: - **Terrorism:** Both countries consistently support international counter-terrorism efforts and cooperation in multilateral forums like the UN and FATF, advocating for robust measures against terrorist financing and activities. - **UNSC Reform:** Both nations are proponents of comprehensive reform and expansion of the UN Security Council, reflecting a shared desire for a more representative global governance structure. - **Kashmir:** Thailand maintains a neutral stance on the Kashmir issue, consistently viewing it as a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan. This position aligns with India's diplomatic preference to prevent internationalization of the issue. Thailand is not a member of the OIC, thus does not participate in any statements from that forum regarding Kashmir. However, a notable divergence exists on the issue of **Ukraine**. While India has largely abstained on UN General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia's invasion and calling for an end to hostilities, Thailand has generally voted in favor of such resolutions, aligning with principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. This divergence on a high-profile geopolitical issue impacts the overall alignment score.

India-Thailand relations continue to demonstrate a robust and positive trajectory, particularly at the diplomatic and official levels, which has been further solidified by recent developments in tourism policy. Within the last 30 days, high-level engagements have reaffirmed the strategic partnership established in April 2025. On June 30, 2026, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, met with the new Indian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Puneet Agrawal, where both sides expressed satisfaction with the 'dynamic and steadily growing' relations and committed to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and high-level exchanges. Furthermore, the 10th Thailand-India Defence Dialogue, held on June 16, 2026, underscored shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific and explored deeper collaboration in defence manufacturing and research. Thailand consistently views its 'Act West' policy as complementary to India's 'Act East' policy, reinforcing a shared vision for regional stability and connectivity, and has backed India's proposals for regional discussions on Myanmar. These interactions consistently reflect a deep mutual respect and the historical perception of India as a trusted friend and strategic partner, aligning with a highly positive diplomatic sentiment.

[Strategic Economic and High-Tech Partner] India and Thailand share a highly dynamic and expanding bilateral trade relationship, solidified by their elevation to a 'Strategic Partnership' in April 2025. The total goods trade volume reached US$20.93 billion in 2025, with India exporting prominent goods such as Organic Chemicals, Inorganic Chemicals, and Telecom Instruments, while importing significant volumes of Gold and Other Precious Metal Jewellery, Vegetable Oils, and Plastic Raw Materials from Thailand. A critical gap identified in the structured data was the absence of services trade figures. This analysis infers an approximate bilateral services trade volume of US$4.5 billion for 2026, primarily driven by Thailand's booming tourism sector (estimated US$3.8 billion from Indian visitors) and India's growing exports of IT, digital, and consulting services (estimated US$0.7 billion). Key developments highlight the strength of this partnership: 1) The active ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) and the India-Thailand Early Harvest Scheme under a proposed CECA provide robust trade frameworks, with high utilization rates. 2) The Strategic Partnership designates semiconductors, artificial intelligence, automotives, MSMEs, and tourism as 'early-harvest sectors' for focused cooperation, indicating a forward-looking economic agenda. 3) Further enhancing connectivity are initiatives like Thailand's 60-day visa-free policy for Indian tourists (as of April 2026) and ongoing discussions for financial system integration (UPI with PromptPay). Thailand's explicit pursuit of India's support for BRICS membership in 2026 underscores the deepening trust and strategic alignment.

Defence ties between India and Thailand are on a steady growth trajectory, characterized by increasing strategic convergence and practical cooperation. As of 2026, the relationship is marked by regular engagement across all service branches. Specifically, the two nations conduct approximately **3 joint exercises annually**, including the biannual 'Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)' and the bilateral naval exercise 'EX-AYUTTHAYA' (which commenced in December 2023, projecting at least one iteration in 2026). While **no significant, high-value defense acquisition deals have been publicly finalized** between India and Thailand in the recent past (leading up to 2026), bilateral discussions on defense industry cooperation, potential future procurements, and technology sharing are ongoing. This indicates a focus on foundational partnership and capacity building rather than immediate large-scale transactions, with shared interests in maritime security, information sharing, and training exchanges underpinning a robust and developing partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

Thailand's popularity among Indian tourists is exceptionally high and projected to continue its strong upward trajectory into 2026. This significant appeal is driven by factors such as excellent air connectivity, diverse tourism offerings catering to varied preferences, and proactive visa facilitation policies. By 2026, annual Indian visitors are projected to reach approximately 2.8 million, representing a substantial growth of over 15% compared to the previous year, firmly solidifying India's position as one of Thailand's top three source markets globally. Furthermore, Thailand consistently ranks among the top destinations in Google search volumes originating from India for international travel, reflecting robust and sustained interest.

As of 2026, Indian citizens planning a visit to Thailand for tourism purposes benefit from a highly favorable visa policy. They are granted visa-free entry for up to 60 days. This policy has been confirmed by multiple sources, including the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, and remains in effect despite some recent discussions about a security review of the visa-waiver program, which has not led to any immediate changes as of May 2026. For stays exceeding 60 days, Indian nationals have the option to extend their visa-free stay by an additional 30 days at a Thai Immigration office within Thailand, for a fee of 1,900 THB (approximately $55 USD). This allows for a maximum stay of 90 days on a single trip without needing a pre-obtained visa. While no visa is required for short tourist visits, travelers must still meet standard entry requirements. These include holding a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry, possessing proof of onward or return travel, and demonstrating sufficient funds (typically 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family, though checks may be random). Additionally, all international travelers, including Indian citizens, are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before their arrival. For longer stays or other purposes (e.g., business, study), or if the 60-day visa-free entry does not suffice, an e-Visa or traditional embassy visa can be obtained. The e-Visa costs around $40 (1,400 THB) for a single entry and $80 (2,800 THB) for multiple entries for stays typically up to 60 days. Standard tourist visas obtained through an embassy can range from ₹3,000 for a single entry to ₹13,500 for multiple entries, with fees increasing from April 27, 2026. However, for most short-term tourism, the visa-free entry is the primary and most convenient option. Considering the 60-day visa-free entry with a straightforward extension option, this policy offers a high degree of accessibility and convenience for Indian tourists. It aligns closely with the 'Visa on Arrival (Free) or Instant eVisa' category, but being visa-exempt makes it even more streamlined for the initial period, hence a high score is warranted. --- PREVIOUS ANALYSIS --- Visa Free: Stay up to 60 days. Valid through 2026. Passport, return ticket, and funds required.

Thailand is generally safe for tourists, including those from India. However, visitors should be aware of common risks: petty theft (pickpocketing, bag snatching) can occur in crowded tourist areas like markets, public transport, and nightlife zones. Tourist scams, such as inflated prices for services, gem scams, tuk-tuk overcharging, or jet ski rental fraud, are also prevalent. Road safety is a concern, especially for those renting motorbikes, due to heavy traffic and varying driving standards. Strict drug laws are enforced with severe penalties. Practicing general vigilance, being aware of surroundings, and respecting local laws and customs will greatly enhance safety.