Thailand-Canada relations have been close and cordial over the years. Ever since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1961, the two countries have continually exchanged high-level visits which include the visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand to Canada in 1967, Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda in 1984, and Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai in 1994. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chretien were among the Canadian dignitaries who visited Thailand in 1983 and 1997, respectively. In addition, Prime Minister Stephen Harper also paid an official visit to Thailand in 2012, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Thailand in 2022 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Recent high-level visits to Thailand include the Honorable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, in 2022, and Ms. Cindy Termorshuizen, Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in 2023.
Thailand and Canada share similar core values and ideas on various multilateral issues such as democracy and human rights. They are also partners in multilateral platforms such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and APEC, as well as working together to promote human rights through dialogues such as the Human Security Network with other likeminded countries. Both countries have close cooperation in social and development frameworks including the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. Canada is also a Strategic Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Canada has taken an active role in strengthening human rights, equality, good governance, and climate resilience in the region. In Thailand, Canada has supported numerous projects through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) since 2003. All projects must align with one of the following CFLI thematic priorities:
• Inclusive governance, including diversity and 2SLGBTQI+, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
• Growth that works for everyone, including women's economic rights, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, investing in the poorest and most vulnerable, and safeguarding economic gains.
• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as on water management.
Each year, tens of thousands of Thai people visit Canada for tourism, study, or work and around 200,000 Canadians visit Thailand annually. There are estimated 10,000 Canadians living in Thailand, and 20,000 Thais living in Canada. The cooperation among the academic institutions also plays an important part of the bilateral relations as many Canadian universities have signed cooperation agreements with Thai academic institutions during the past few years. There are quite a few Thai students studying in Canada including in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.