Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson, met with Mr. Lee Jaewoong, Republic of Korea’s MFA Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs, to exchange views, experiences and best practices on countering disinformation and advancing strategic communications.

Both sides shared their experiences and challenges of the work of MFA’s spokespersons in the digital era in which misinformation and disinformation can be easily and widely disseminated. They also exchanged information and approaches in addressing this phenomenon, particularly when it impacts foreign policy and international relations, and discussed ways to advance public diplomacy.

Further cooperation was explored, including a joint consultation between the MFA’s spokespersons of both countries to discuss issues of mutual interest.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has regularly maintained dialogue with counterparts of partner countries to exchange knowledge and experiences on countering misinformation and disinformation, especially amid the current dynamic information landscape.

Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Ms. Seo Bihn, Director-General for Public Diplomacy and Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, co-chaired the first Meeting of the Korea – Thailand Joint Cultural Committee (JCC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Seoul.

Thai relevant agencies participated in the Meeting included the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Office of Commercial Affairs in Seoul, and Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization).

Historical Context: The Korea – Thailand Joint Cultural Committee (JCC) was officially established during the official visit of the Foreign Minister of Thailand to the Republic of Korea during 1-2 August 2024, in line with the Joint Action Plan towards Strengthening Strategic Partnership between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Korea (2022 – 2027) in the areas of people-to-people exchange and culture.

The JCC with the Republic of Korea is Thailand’s first cultural cooperation mechanism of this kind, while Korea has established similar frameworks with nearly 40 countries worldwide.

Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, welcomed H.E. Mr. Elchin Ragub oglu Bashirov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Thailand, to the Ministry.

Both sides discussed the upcoming opening ceremony of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Bangkok, which will be presided over by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani side is also planning to convene the first Thailand – Azerbaijan Political Consultations on the same occasion.

The Azerbaijani side also emphasized that Thailand is regarded as one of its key priority partners in the region, highlighting the growing diplomatic importance of Thailand-Azerbaijan relations.

This meeting marks a significant milestone in Thailand-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations, with the establishment of the Azerbaijani embassy in Bangkok representing a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.