Thailand and Bhutan sign 3 cooperation deals on October 31
Thailand and Bhutan signed three deals covering healthcare, green agricultural finance and technical assistance for a 100MW solar project.
- A healthcare cooperation agreement was signed to improve universal health coverage, disease control, medical research, and facilitate patient referrals from Bhutan to Thailand.
- An agreement on agricultural finance was established to provide green loans for sustainable farming and improve financial services and trade opportunities for farmers.
- A clean energy deal was finalized, providing Thai technical assistance for the feasibility study and design of Bhutan's 100MW Tareythang agri-solar project.
Thailand and Bhutan signed three cooperation documents on healthcare, agricultural finance and clean energy in Thimphu on October 31, 2026, including technical assistance for a 100MW solar project.
Government spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises reported that Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attended the signing and document-exchange ceremony at the Pemako hotel at 9.30am local time, one hour behind Thailand.
1. Healthcare cooperation includes patient referrals
A memorandum of understanding between Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and Bhutan’s Ministry of Health covers universal health coverage, disease prevention and control, medical workforce development and medical research.
The health agreement also extends cooperation to digital medicine, telemedicine and applications of artificial intelligence. It includes referrals of Bhutanese patients to public hospitals in Thailand, with the aim of improving service quality and access to healthcare.
2. Banks expand cooperation on green agricultural finance
A follow-on memorandum of understanding between Thailand’s Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and Bhutan Development Bank Limited (BDBL) focuses on financial cooperation, particularly green loans supporting sustainable agriculture.
The banking agreement also covers the development of credit-risk assessment systems, links between international money-transfer services, and trade in agricultural goods and community products. The aim is to improve access to finance and broaden business opportunities for farmers and small entrepreneurs in both countries.
3. Technical assistance for the 100MW Tareythang project
A record of discussions on clean-energy cooperation brings together Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), Bhutan’s Ministry of Finance and Norion Renewable Energy Limited.
The energy document provides for technical assistance on a feasibility-study review and detailed design for Bhutan’s 100MW Tareythang agri-solar project, supporting clean-energy development and sustainable growth.
Ekkapob described the three documents as evidence of the Thai government’s commitment to strengthening relations with Bhutan and delivering practical cooperation in healthcare, energy and the economy for the benefit of people in both countries.
“The Thai government aims to build on its close relationship with Bhutan to deliver tangible benefits for people, particularly by creating economic opportunities and improving quality of life,” Ekkapob said.
“At the same time, we are advancing the Thailand–Bhutan free trade agreement, targeting its entry into force on January 1, 2027, to expand trade and investment opportunities and support sustainable economic growth for both countries.”
