By Sami Ahmed
TradeTrend
Published: Sept 19, 2026
KARACHI, September 19, 2026: Pakistan and Thailand marked 75 years of diplomatic relations with a special “Thai Night” at the Marriott Hotel Karachi, bringing together diplomats, government representatives, business leaders and members of the cultural community.
“The shortest distance between two countries sometimes runs across the dining table,” Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Irfan Soomro said at the event, highlighting the role of food and cultural exchange in bringing societies closer.
Soomro said diplomacy was also about balance, much like Thai cuisine, where different flavours come together in harmony. Mutual respect and balance, he said, were fundamental to diplomacy.
He said people might forget meetings and even the individuals they met abroad, but the taste of good food could remain in their memories for a long time.
Soomro described the promotion of Pakistan-Thailand relations through Thai cuisine and culinary traditions as a commendable initiative, saying food could serve as an effective means of bringing different societies and nations closer.
75 Years Of Diplomatic Relations
Thai Consul General Surashete Boontinand said the 75-year diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and Thailand was not confined to official contacts but had also been strengthened through people-to-people exchanges, culture, food and mutual hospitality.
Boontinand said Thai chefs had been specially invited to Pakistan for the occasion to introduce Thai cuisine, culture and hospitality and promote people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
Trade And Tourism Ties
The anniversary comes as Pakistan and Thailand continue to pursue closer economic and tourism ties. In May 2025, Thai Ambassador Rongvudhi Virabutr told President Asif Ali Zardari that Thailand aimed to increase bilateral trade to $2 billion and advance work on a Free Trade Agreement. The meeting also discussed developing the Gandhara tourism route to attract more Thai visitors to Pakistan.
Cultural Exchange
The evening featured cultural performances from both countries. Students of the Arts Council of Pakistan presented a traditional bhangra performance, while artists invited from Thailand performed Thai cultural traditions.
The event was attended by Consul General of Indonesia Mudzakir M.A., Consul General of Malaysia Younus Ibrahim, Honorary Consul General of the Philippines Imran Jofa, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh Sakib Sadakat, Honorary Consul General of Djibouti Khalil Ahmed Nainitalwala and Honorary Consul General of Côte d’Ivoire Fazal Karim Dadabhoy.
MediCam Group’s Khurram Khalil Nainitalwala, Tabani Group Chairman Hamza Tabani, Athar Iqbal, Arts Council of Pakistan President Ahmed Shah and members of the business community also attended.
- Images by TradeTrend photographer
