On 2 February 2026, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) and the International Studies Center (ISC), together with the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies (IDS), co-organised the 2nd Saudi Arabia – Thailand Academic Dialogue in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. H.E. Mr. Thanop Panyapattanakul, Ambassador attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dean of DVIFA, and H.E. Dr. Moshobab AlKahtani, Director-General of IDS, delivered the opening remarks. They commended the use of this forum to review the progress made in Thailand-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations in multiple dimensions, particularly in trade and investment. Both sides were keen to maintain momentum and to explore potential areas for further collaboration, including more exchanges between their respective diplomatic institutes.

          This Dialogue is one of the activities in the Initiative Card between DVIFA and IDS under the Political and Consular Committee of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council (STCC), co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of Thailand and Saudi Arabia. The dialogue this year comprised academic discussion on four broad topics: (1) the state of bilateral relations in a changing regional context in the Middle East and Southeast Asia; (2) global economic realignment and bilateral opportunities; (3) Thailand and Saudi Arabia’s roles as middle powers in a fragmented international order; and (4) strategies to strengthen the security of maritime routes.

          On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Thanop Panyapattanakul, Ambassador attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dean of DVIFA, met with H.E. Dr. Moshobab AlKahtani, Director General of IDS, to exchange perspectives and information on diplomatic training, and to discuss opportunities for further collaboration. The delegation also toured the IDS premises.

          After the conclusion of the academic dialogue, H.E. Mr. Thanop Panyapattanakul and the delegation met with Team Thailand officials to receive a briefing on recent developments in Saudi Arabia and an update on the status of bilateral relations, building on the outcomes of the academic dialogue. In addition, they had an inspection visit of the premises of the Royal Thai Embassy in Riyadh. Mr. Natee Vichitsorasatra, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Royal Thai Embassy, then hosted a luncheon for the delegation and Team Thailand.