BANGKOK, June 30 — Thailand has approved Iraq’s request to reopen its embassy in Bangkok, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries next year.
Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the Cabinet approved a proposal by the Foreign Ministry at its Tuesday meeting to allow the Iraqi government to reopen its embassy in the country.
Ratchada said Iraq had repeatedly expressed its intention to reopen its diplomatic mission in Thailand following improvements in its domestic security and stability.
The opening of the embassy would strengthen Thailand’s strategic engagement in West Asia while enabling Iraq to provide more effective consular services and assistance to its nationals residing in or visiting Thailand, she said.
Iraq previously shut down its embassy in Bangkok during the 2003 Iraq War.
“The establishment of the embassy will enhance coordination between Thailand and Iraq and create opportunities to expand cooperation in several key areas,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
Ratchada said the reopening of the embassy would deepen cooperation in the energy sector and facilitate greater trade and investment, as Iraq possesses vast oil reserves and remains one of Thailand’s important export markets for rice.
She said tourism is another area expected to benefit, with Iraqi arrivals to Thailand continuing to rise after the country received 15,644 visitors from Iraq in 2025, more than triple the figure recorded a year earlier.
Thailand and Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1957.
