On 14 July 2023, Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Honorary Advisor of Bolliger & Company (Thailand) Ltd. paid a courtesy call on Mr. Sake Nopthaisong, Deputy Director General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs at the Ministryof Foreign Affairs to discuss the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as well as, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The interview is part of a feasibility study project of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce.

On this occasion, Deputy Director General gave a briefing on bilateral relations between Thailand and GCC, political and economic development in the region, and an overview of Thai foreign policy towards the GCC. He also touched upon the trade and investment opportunities that CEPA could generate between Thailand and the UAE. Both sides also discussed legal and regulatory challenges, opportunities to promote trade and investment in the region.