The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand (Abrv: MFA; , ) is the principal governmental department in charge of foreign relations for Thailand. The ministry is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is also a member of the Cabinet of Thailand. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is appointed by the Prime minister. The ministry is charged with formulating and executing foreign policies for the Kingdom of Thailand and also manages and maintains Thai diplomatic missions around the world.The Role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand: Some Preliminary Observations
History Prior to the creation of the ministry, much of the country's foreign relations were handled by the absolute monarchs of the day. During the Kingdom of Ayutthaya foreign relations were handled by the "Krom Phra Khlang" ( (or the Treasury Department). The head of the department was known as "Phra Khlang" ( and occasionally referred to as "Berguelang" or "Barcelon" by foreign authors. A notable Phra Khlang Kosathibodi during the reign of King Narai was Kosa Lek, who was the elder brother of the famous 17th-century Siamese ambassador to France Kosa Pan. Kosa Pan also became a Phra Khlang Kosathibodi upon the reign of Petracha. Soon after, a sub-department called "Kromma Tha" (, "Port Department") was created to deal with foreigners.ประวัติกระทรวงการต่างประเทศประวัติสำนักงานปลัดกระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
During the Bangkok Period most of these features were retained. For instance, the Chau Phaya-Phraklang in his capacity as Minister of State on behalf of Jessadabodindra negotiated the Siamese–American Treaty of Amity and Commerce of 1833 with Edmund Roberts in his capacity as Minister of the United States on behalf of President Andrew Jackson.ประวัติและวิวัฒนาการของกระทรวงการต่างประเทศ พ.ศ. 2418-2541
In 1840, King Mongkut, the next king, founded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Siam, which was administered directly by the king. The responsibilities and roles of the old "Krom" were shifted to this ministry. Chao Phraya Bhanuwong became the first Foreign Minister of Siam in 1871, appointed by King Chulalongkorn. In 1881 Prince Devavongse Varoprakarn was appointed to replace him. Known today as the "father of Thai diplomacy" he reorganized and modernized the ministry to meet 19th century standards. The ministry was then permanently established at Saranrom Palace, east of the Grand Palace. The ministry was divided into seven divisions:
Senabodi Division (Ministerial Division) Under-Secretary Division Translation Division Reception Division Accounts Division Filing Division Diplomatic Division Consular Division
Foreign affairs advisers From 1892 to 1924, the Siamese government retained the professional legal services of lawyers skilled in international law. Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns, an international legal scholar, served as Adviser-General from 1892 to 1902. Edward Strobel, a Harvard Law School Bemis Professor of International Law, served as American Adviser-General from 1906 until his death in 1908. He was followed by Harvard Law Professors Jens Westengard, Francis B. Sayre and Eldon James.
Reorganization After the Revolution of 1932, the ministry came under civilian control and the minister was made a member of the constitutional government of Siam. The first minister under this new system was Phraya Srivisanvaja.
In 1992, the ministry office was moved to Si Ayutthaya Road, Thung Phaya Thai Subdistrict, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok in the area that used to be the headquarter of Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), the Ministry also has an office building of the Department of Consular Affairs at Chaeng Watthana Road.
Operations The MFA budget for FY2019 is 9,197.3 million baht.
Administration Office of the Minister Office of the Permanent Secretary
Functional departments Department of Consular Affairs Department of Protocol Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) Department of International Economic Affairs Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs Department of Information Department of International Organizations
Regional departments Department of European Affairs Department of American and South Pacific Affairs Department of ASEAN Affairs (for international undertakings under the framework of ASEAN; while bilateral relations between Thailand and each ASEAN member is under the East Asian Affairs Department) Department of East Asian Affairs Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs
List of ministers This is a list of ministers of foreign affairs of Thailand:
1875–1885: Chao Phraya Panuwongse Maha Kosathibodi 1885–1923: Prince Devawongse Varoprakar 1924–1932: Prince Traidos Prabandh 1932–1933: Phraya Srivisaravaja 1933–1934: Phraya Abhibanrajamaitri 1934–1935: Phraya Phaholphonphayuhasena 1935–1936: Phraya Srisena 1936–1938: Pridi Banomyong 1938–1939: Chao Phya Sridharmadhibes 1939–1941: Plaek Phibunsongkhram 1941: Direk Jayanama 1941–1942: Plaek Phibunsongkhram 1942–1943: Luang Wichitwathakan 1943–1944: Direk Jayanama 1944–1945: Srisena Sampatisiri 1945–1946: Seni Pramoj 1946–1947: Direk Jayanama 1947: Thawan Thamrongnawasawat 1947: Arthakitti Banomyong 1947–1948: Phraya Srivisaravaja 1948–1949: Priditheppong Devakul 1949: Plaek Phibunsongkhram 1949–1950: Pote Sarasin 1950–1952: Warakan Bancha 1952–1958: Prince Wan Waithayakon 1959–1971: Thanat Khoman 1971–1973: Thanom Kittikachorn 1973–1975: Charunphan Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya 1975: Bhichai Rattakul 1975–1976: Chatichai Choonhavan 1976: Bhichai Rattakul 1976–1980: Upadit Pachariyangkun 1980–1990: Siddhi Savetsila 1990: Subin Pinkayan 1990–1991: Arthit Ourairat 1991–1992: Arsa Sarasin 1992: Pongpol Adireksarn 1992: Arsa Sarasin 1992–1994: Prasong Soonsiri 1994–1995: Thaksin Shinawatra 1995: Krasae Chanawongse 1995–1996: Kasem S. Kasemsri 1996: Amnuay Viravan 1996–1997: Prachuab Chaiyasan 1997–2001: Surin Pitsuwan 2001–2005: Surakiart Sathirathai 2005–2006: Kantathi Suphamongkhon 2006–2008: Nitya Pibulsonggram 2008: Noppadon Pattama 2008: Tej Bunnag 2008: Saroj Chavanaviraj 2008: Sompong Amornwiwat 2008–2011: Kasit Piromya 2011–2014: Surapong Tovichakchaikul 2014–2015: Thanasak Patimaprakorn 2015–2023: Don Pramudwinai 2023–2024: Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara 2024–2025: Maris Sangiampongsa 2025–present: Sihasak Phuangketkeow
See also Foreign relations of Thailand Diplomatic missions of Thailand Cabinet of Thailand List of Government Ministers of Thailand Government of Thailand
References
External links Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thai) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (English) Thai Government Links