SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Thailand is placing the medical field, startups and cultural exchange at the center of its partnership with South Korea, unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation into healthcare, innovation and other future growth industries.
The plans were outlined Tuesday during a media briefing hosted by Tanee Sangrat, Thailand's ambassador to South Korea, at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul's Yongsan district. The embassy announced five flagship events over the coming weeks, including a new startup and innovation hub, Thailand's flagship cultural festival in Seoul, the largest-ever Thai art exhibition in Korea, a high-level diplomatic visit and a healthcare-focused business forum.
The first event will be the launch of the Seoul-Thailand Startup & Innovation Space (STSiS) on Wednesday at the Thai Ambassador's residence in Seoul. The initiative is designed to connect Thai and Korean entrepreneurs, innovators and investors while promoting cooperation in technology, innovation and the digital economy.
The launch ceremony will bring together startup founders, business representatives and policymakers, followed by a networking luncheon aimed at fostering new partnerships.
"If you are in the startup ecosystem, if you are an innovator, you will be interested in STSiS," the envoy said, describing the initiative as a platform for entrepreneurs and innovators seeking opportunities in both countries.
The embassy will also host the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2026 on June 20 and 21 at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul and along the Cheonggyecheon stream under the theme "Creative Life, Creative Heartbeat."
The two-day festival will feature Thai cuisine, T-Pop and traditional cultural performances, arts and crafts exhibitions, tourism promotions, traditional costume experiences and complimentary Thai massage sessions.
Asked which of the upcoming events he would most recommend to Korean visitors, Tanee pointed to the festival as the most accessible introduction to Thai culture. "For the general public, the festival would be the most enjoyable," the ambassador said.
Another major cultural event will be "Amazing Thailand: Masterpieces of Thai Art," described by the embassy as the first major Thai cultural exhibition at the National Museum of Korea.
The exhibition will open on June 22, with the public exhibition running from June 23 through Sept. 6. It will feature more than 200 artifacts spanning from prehistoric periods to the mid-20th century, marking the first large-scale showcase dedicated to Thai culture ever held in Korea.
Highlights include Buddhist art, royal treasures and traditional crafts curated as a premium cultural exchange program. After its Seoul run through Sept. 6, the exhibition will travel to Tongdosa Temple, one of Korea's most renowned Buddhist temples located in South Gyeongsang Province.
Sangrat paid particular attention to the exhibition's collection of Chut Thai, Thailand's traditional attire, which will be displayed with explanations at the museum. "People interested in Thai culture will find the exhibition very interesting," he said, adding: "Our traditional dresses, Chut Thai, are much more elaborate and much more beautiful."
The embassy is also preparing for the July 3 working visit to South Korea by Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, which will coincide with the 68th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The visit is expected to focus on expanding bilateral cooperation, including a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to discuss diplomatic, economic and strategic issues of mutual interest.
Looking further ahead, Thailand will host the Korea-Thailand Business Forum on July 22 at Lotte Hotel Seoul, focusing on four high-growth sectors: biohealth, medical technology, wellness and future food. The one-day forum will bring together senior business leaders, government officials and industry experts from both countries to explore new investment opportunities and industrial partnerships.
"Hopefully, we can facilitate business," The ambassador said. "This is the first time we have decided to focus on the medical field." He added that the decision to focus on healthcare marks a new direction for bilateral business cooperation.
The forum aims to catalyze new partnerships, investment pledges and business-to-business matchmaking sessions, supporting Thailand's 'Thailand 4.0' strategy and Korea's bio-medical innovation agenda. "If you are in the medical field, wellness, or even the food segment, the business forum in July will be of interest to you," Sangrat said.
The initiatives reflect Thailand's broader strategy of deepening engagement with South Korea through innovation, culture and emerging industries, reinforcing a bilateral partnership that has grown steadily in recent years.
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