About the Embassy

Sweden and Thailand has since long well established diplomatic relations. In 2008 we celebrate the 140th anniversary of the signing of an agreement on eternal friendship between Sweden and Thailand. In 1883 formalised diplomatic relations were established.

Swedish representation in Thailand

The Embassy in Bangkok is one of the largest Swedish Embassies in Asia. In addition to the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, there are Swedish Honorary Consulates in Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai that can, for example, give Swedes with some consular support.

Embassy with a regional mission

The Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand is also side-accredited to Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Burma/Myanmar. This means that the Ambassador, though based in Thailand, is also the Swedish Ambassador to these countries.

The Swedish bilateral relations with Laos and Cambodia are mostly focused on development cooperation. In Laos there is a Swedish Embassy, headed by Chargé d’Affaires Owe Andersson and in Cambodia, there is a Swedish Section Office for Development Cooperation headed by Development Counsellor Eva Smedberg. Swedes in need of consular support can turn to these Swedish authorities in Laos and Cambodia and Swedes in Burma/Myanmar get support from the Swedish Honorary Consul Dr. Myint Han in Rangoon.

Addresses can be found under the heading Address Book in the margin to the left.

Activities and priorities of the Embassy

The over all role of the Swedish Ambassador to Thailand, Mr Lennart Linnér, is to strengthen the relations between Sweden and Thailand. These relations concern the contacts between our Governments, but also between companies, organisations and our people.

The Consular Section of the Embassy supports Swedish citizens that may need consular support in Thailand. Thailand is one of the most popular Swedish tourist destinations and the Consular activities are one of the highest prioritised responsibilities of the Embassy. In addition to Thailand, the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok has a support function with regards to crisis response management of other Swedish Embassies in the region.

More and more Thais would like to visit Sweden each year and contact the Visa Section of the Embassy of Sweden to apply for Visa or Residence Permits. The Embassy in Bangkok is one of the Swedish Embassies that process the most migration issues each year.

The Political Section of the Embassy focuses on the political relations between the countries by maintaining contacts with the Thai Government, authorities and organisations. Further, the section analyses and reports important political events in Thailand and the neighbouring countries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm

The Commercial Section of the Embassy focuses on the economic relations between our countries. The section promotes trade between the countries by for example mapping business opportunities and helping Thai companies that are interested in the Swedish market, and vice versa.
 
The Swedish Environmental Secretariat for South East Asia, Sensa, of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency is part of the Embassy. Sensa works with environmental issues in South East Asia, for example through information sharing and capacity building. www.sida.se/sensa

The Advisor on Human Rights Issues of the Embassy also has a regional task.

The person in charge of Cultural and Press Issues works to spread information about Sweden in Thailand.

The Embassy also hosts the Nordic Liaison Office for Police and Customs Cooperation that works closely with the Thai police to fight international crime.