On Monday, 16 February 2026, Mr. Kittipod Hongsombud, Minister, the Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria, along with Mr. Athikom Daengpun and Mr. Poomrapee Bannakarn, officials from the Africa Division, upon an invitation from President of Ubon Ratchathani University, joined the academic discussion, together with Mr. Krairawee Sirikul, former Ambassador of Thailand to Portugal and member of the University Affairs Promotion Committee, and the university’s executives.

On this occasion, the delegation gave a lecture on “The Global South Cooperation: the Case of Africa” to share their knowledge on the role and the strategic engagement of developing countries on the global stage. The lecture was attended by students of the Department of Politics and International Relations, Faculty of Political Science. The lecture also focused on the opportunities and challenges facing Africa as a key actor within the Global South, as well as on diplomatic relations and cooperation between Thailand and African countries, particularly, Thailand’s policy toward Africa or “Thailand - Africa Initiative (TAI)”.

In addition, the delegation participated in a Dinner Talk on the topic “Economic Opportunities in Africa” with a group of business leaders and young entrepreneurs from the Ubon Ratchathani Chamber of Commerce. The Talk provided participants with an opportunity to exchange perspectives and information on Thailand’s trade and investment potential in Africa, as well as the current government’s policy on economic diplomacy.