On 27 March 2026, the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs organized the Thailand - Latin America and Caribbean Seminar on “Decoding Latin America: Strategies and Challenges for Thai Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean.“ Mrs. Hataya Khusakul, Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, together with Dr. Pitchayaphant Charnbhumidol and Mr. Chavapas Ongmahutmongkol, Advisors to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, exchanged views with representatives from various sectors: the public sector (Ministry of Commerce and Board of Investment), the private sector, (Federation of Thai Industries and the Board of Trade of Thailand), as well as business operators from various industries interested in the Latin American and Caribbean markets, including consumer goods, food, energy, and the entertainment industry.

 

The Director-General emphasized the importance of Thailand seeking new trade partners, while strengthening existing partnerships in the region amid intensifying geopolitical competition. Insights from the seminar will be used to help identify target countries and priority industries under the Department’s “Latin Link” project, through a Thai business delegation that will be led to explore market opportunities in Latin America in the second half of 2026. The initiative is expected to strengthen business networks, diversify trade risks, and enhance Thailand’s long-term competitiveness. The seminar aimed to gather insights and perspectives from all sectors to help formulate an integrated approach to cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as to develop appropriate support mechanisms for expanding Thai businesses into the Latin American and Caribbean markets.