20 June 2016 - On June 14, 1949, the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Thailand signed the Treaty of Friendship in Washington, formalizing their bilateral relationship. The Treaty came into force on August 1, 1950, by the exchange of the instruments of ratification, in accordance with article VII of the agreement.

The Treaty was signed by Philippine Ambassador to the United States of America Joaquin Elizalde and H.R.H. Prince Wan Waithayakon, Thai Ambassador to the United States of America.

The Philippines and Thailand then established legations at each other’s capitals in 1949, which were elevated to embassies on January 1, 1956. Both became founders of SEATO in September 1954 and ASEAN in August 1967. Cooperation likewise expanded beyond trade and culture to cover political, defense, investment, tourism, air services, scientific and technical, telecommunications, agriculture, justice and environment, among others.

The exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries further attest to the excellent state of bilateral relations. At 67 years of diplomatic relations, the Kingdom of Thailand is the Republic of the Philippines’ oldest friend in ASEAN.