Formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand were established with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship in Washington, DC on 14 June 1949. Both countries have enjoyed very cordial relations and cooperation between them has been wide-ranging. Various bilateral agreements have been concluded, ranging from economic cooperation to extradition to tourism cooperation.

Regional/Political Cooperation
Thailand and the Philippines share a distinct partnership as two of the five founding members of ASEAN when it was created in August 1967. Both countries are likewise considered key movers in other regional fora such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC). The Philippines was among the pioneering countries in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) initiative in Thailand. In multilateral fora, the two countries similarly advocate such issues as human rights, civil empowerment, combating transnational crime, and sustainable development.

In 2005 and 2006, the climate of mutual confidence that has existed between the two countries was highlighted by high-level exchange of visits, close collaboration in regional/international fora and other mechanisms for cooperation. Recent exchange of visits include the following:

• Officials visit of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to the Philippines on 12-14 October 2001;
• Official visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Thailand on 7-8 May 2002;
• Official visit of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to the Philippines on 7-8 September 2003;
• Official visit of NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri to Thailand on 26-30 October 2003;
• Official visit of Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, Jr., to Thailand on 29 August 2003;
• Official visit of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo to Thailand on 4-5 March 2005;
• Official visit of then Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon to the Philippines on 12 April 2005;
• Visit of Former President Fidel V. Ramos to Thailand on 10-15 July 2005;
• Visit of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., and other members of the Philippine House of Representatives to Thailand in December 2005;
• Official visit of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to the Philippines on 23 October 2006;
• Official visit of Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram to the Philippines on 8-11 December 2006 and 11-13 January 2007 for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and 12th ASEAN Summit;
• Official visit of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to the Philippines on 11-13 January 2007 for the 12th ASEAN Summit;
• Official visit of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo to Thailand on 24-26 March 2007 for the 4th Philippines-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting;
• Official visit of Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram to the Philippines on 29 July-2 August 2007 for the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and related meetings;

Economic Relations
In 2005, Thailand ranked as the Philippines' tenth largest trading partner, while the Philippines was Thailand's 14th largest. The latest official figures showed that total bilateral trade between the Philippines and Thailand amounted to US$ 2.24 billion in 2005. This represented a decrease of more than six percent from the same period in 2004. Bilateral trade favored Thailand by US$ 353.81 million. 

The Philippines sold US$ 941.17 million, or 2.79 percent of its total exports, to Thailand, but this represented a decrease of just below 12 percent from the year before. Philippine exports to Thailand consisted mostly of machineries and transport equipment and parts, electronics, various resource-based commodities, tobacco, processed foods and special transactions. There were marked increases in exports of certain commodities, including greeting cards and stationary, dried vegetables, natural rubber, canned tuna, women's and girls' wear, and petroleum products. 

On the other hand, the Philippines imported from Thailand more than US$ 1.30 billion worth of goods or almost 3.5 percent of the country’s total imports. Still, this registered a decrease of over two percent from the same period in 2004. Philippine imports from Thailand were mostly machineries and transport equipment and parts, electronics, various resource-based commodities, processed foods, special transactions, and chemicals (particularly petrochemicals). There were significant increases in imports of several items, particularly fresh nuts and fresh coconut products, processed coffee, fresh/chilled/frozen tuna, stone furniture, sauces/condiments/spices/mixes and manufactures, and precious jewelry. 

In terms of investments, preliminary projections by the Bank of Thailand showed that the net flow of foreign direct investments (FDI) from the Philippines into Thailand amounted to US$ 183.05 million in 2004.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) remained the biggest Philippine investor in Thailand. In 2003, the food and beverage giant signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Amata Corporation to put up a 100-hectare production plant for beverage products in the eastern Thai province of Rayong. The plant broke ground in March 2004.

The Philippines
Office of the President
Department of Foreign Affairs
Department of Trade & Industry
Department of Tourism
Philippine Media
° The Manila Bulletin Online
° The Philippine Daily Inquirer
° The Philippine Star

Thailand
Office of the Premier
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thai Media
° Bangkok Post
° The Nation