Phuket Deputy Governor Suwit Pansengiam chaired the welcome ceremony and led the meeting, which aimed to strengthen bilateral understanding and identify emerging opportunities in trade, tourism and investment, particularly in service-sector industries aligned with Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation agenda.
The delegation from Saudi Arabia was led by Mansour Al-Ajmi, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Riyadh Chamber, alongside representatives from the TME Institute and the Southern Border Provinces Advisory Council for Administration and Development.
Phuket’s public and private sectors were represented by senior figures including Narong On-in, Head of the Phuket Provincial Office; Woranit Apiratjirawong, Phuket Provincial Commerce Officer; Montawee Hongyok, President of the Phuket Provincial Chamber of Commerce; and Thaneth Tantipiriyakit, President of the Phuket Tourist Association.
Also present was Suneerat Ruchimas, Deputy Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office. Advisors and experts from regional commerce networks also participated.
Both sides exchanged information on Phuket’s economic capacity, Thailand’s broader investment climate, and Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving service and tourism sectors under its national development strategy, said an official report of the meeting.
Discussions highlighted the potential for increased Thai workforce mobility to the Middle East, tourism flows in both directions, and collaborative investment in hospitality, services and supporting industries.
Participants described the talks as informal but constructive, laying groundwork for more structured cooperation in the months ahead. The meeting reflects the continued strengthening of Thai–Saudi relations since bilateral ties were normalised in 2022.
Officials said the renewed engagement is expected to lead to concrete joint projects at both provincial and national levels, creating long-term benefits for industry, tourism and labour opportunities in both countries.