On 31 March 2025, the 5th round of Thailand-EU FTA negotiations commenced in Brussels, and will span the entire week, from 31 March to 4 April 2025. Chiefs of the negotiation are Ms. Chotima Iemsawasdikul, Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, and Mr. Christophe Kiener, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Trade (DG Trade) at the European Commission. Both reaffirmed the strategic importance of the FTA amid ongoing geopolitics emphasizing their commitment to advancing negotiations for the mutual benefit of Thailand and the EU, with a focus on trade expansion, investment growth, and sustainability.
Building on progress made in the 4th round of negotiations held in Bangkok from 25 to 29 November 2024, where both sides concluded chapters on good regulatory practices and transparency, this 5th round marks a crucial step forward as negotiators seek reasonable and creative solutions on market access modalities—one of the most complex and challenging aspects of the FTA discussions.