Thailand is pushing to revive free trade agreement negotiations with Bangladesh while working on a direct maritime route that could slash shipping time between the two countries from around two weeks to as little as three to five days, Thai Ambassador Thitiporn Chirasawadi said.
The proposed route would connect Thailand’s Ranong Port with Chittagong through the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, bypassing the longer existing route through the Strait of Malacca.
During a visit to the Dhaka Tribune and Bangla Tribune offices on Sunday, the ambassador said the two initiatives could strengthen trade and supply-chain connectivity at a time of growing global uncertainty.
She said: “During this turbulent world, the supply chain is a very important issue that concerns two countries located very near each other.”
Bangladesh and Thailand exchanged a letter of intent on an FTA in 2024, but progress subsequently slowed.
Chirasawadi said she has raised the need to begin preliminary discussions with several ministers.
She said: “Afterward, in meetings with several ministers, I emphasized the importance of starting preliminary FTA discussions at this time.”
The ambassador said the direct maritime link could dramatically reduce transit time.
She said: “These days, we have to go from the east of Thailand and cross the Strait of Malacca which takes around two weeks.”
Under the alternative route, the journey could be cut to three to five days.
She said: “One or two Thai companies are interested in this route. We have not started yet, but studies indicate it will be feasible.”
The initiative had been expected to begin in April but was delayed amid conflict in Iran and the Middle East.
Asked when operations could begin, Chirasawadi said: “It is possible in September.”
Dhaka Tribune Editor Reaz Ahmad said a shorter maritime route could lower transportation costs and create new opportunities for bilateral trade.
The ambassador also said Thailand was exploring the feasibility of a direct air connection between Bangladesh and Chiang Mai.
Bangla Tribune Executive Editor Udisa Islam said such connectivity, alongside the proposed shipping route, could provide a boost to tourism.
$1bn trade, but imbalance persists
The connectivity push comes as the two countries seek to address a significant trade imbalance.
Bilateral trade currently stands at around $1 billion, with Bangladesh importing approximately $900 million worth of goods from Thailand while exporting considerably less.
Chirasawadi said many Thai exports to Bangladesh are industrial inputs, including plastic pellets, cement and chemical raw materials, while Thailand is looking for ways to increase imports from Bangladesh.
She said: “I am trying to identify which products Bangladesh can prioritize to increase exports to Thailand.”
Reaz Ahmad noted that the two countries already have strong links in healthcare, tourism and education, alongside cultural similarities and Thailand’s popularity among Bangladeshi travellers.
Thai embassy gets 800 visa applications daily
The scale of travel between the countries was reflected in visa figures shared during the meeting.
The Thai Embassy receives around 800 applications from Bangladesh each day, rising above 2,000 during peak periods, particularly ahead of Eid holidays.
Officials said applicants submitting complete and authentic documents generally receive a decision within seven working days.
However, a consular official said: “Right now, we receive around 800 applications per day. But the problem we face is that many of the applications come with fake documents.”
Officials said incomplete or questionable financial documents complicate verification and warned applicants against agencies claiming they can guarantee visas within hours or a few days.
The embassy has been using social media to counter such claims and has prepared an instructional video explaining the application process and documentation requirements.
Officials also described a small number of suspicious cases involving people carrying Bangladeshi passports who were unwilling or unable to answer questions in Bengali when contacted for interviews.
An official said: “We tried to schedule them to come. They never show up.”
Thailand backs ‘calibrated re-engagement’ with Myanmar
Myanmar and the Rohingya crisis also featured prominently in the discussion, with the ambassador stressing the importance of continued engagement with Naypyidaw because of Thailand’s 2,400-kilometre border with Myanmar.
She said: “It is necessary to maintain active engagement with Myanmar to effectively manage border security and stability, since Thailand shares a 2,400 km border with Myanmar.”
Thailand supports a “calibrated re-engagement” approach aimed at bringing Myanmar back to the Asean dialogue process, while requiring tangible progress on Asean’s Five-Point Consensus before further steps are taken.
The discussion also addressed Bangladesh’s hosting of around 1.2 million Rohingya.
The ambassador said Thailand continues to provide humanitarian assistance through international organisations and UN agencies, including UNHCR and WFP, and hoped the crisis would remain on the international agenda.
Bangkok experience for Dhaka’s waterways
The two sides also explored whether Thailand could share expertise from Bangkok’s canal and waterway management as Bangladesh seeks to restore Dhaka’s canals and develop circular waterways.
Chirasawadi said: “We can share knowledge.”
The meeting concluded with discussions on greater media cooperation and news exchange between Bangladesh and Thailand.
Reaz Ahmad expressed interest in developing links with Thai media organisations, including the Bangkok Post, and said Dhaka Tribune would be willing to assist Thai journalists visiting Bangladesh.
The Thai delegation later toured the Dhaka Tribune and Bangla Tribune newsrooms.
