Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier began his official visit to Thailand today, at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who hosted a welcoming ceremony at Government House, which included an inspection of a Guard of Honour.

Steinmeier is accompanied by the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Federal Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Economic Affairs and Climate Action, as well as a delegation of German businesspeople.

Srettha and Steinmeier will witness the signing of cooperation agreements in the fields of Railways and Science and attend a joint press conference. The Thai premier will host a luncheon for Steinmeier at Government House.

HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn and HM Majesty Queen Suthida will grant an audience to the German president at Amphorn Sathan in Dusit Palace.

The president will visit Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing (Thailand) in Samut Prakan province, which is a regional production base for internal combustion and electric vehicles (EV). Steinmeier will also travel to Ubon Ratchathani, to visit the hydro-floating solar hybrid project at the Sirindhorn reservoir, which is a world leading hybrid power plant operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

Also on Steinmeier’s itinerary are the inclusive sustainable rice land space project in Trakan Phuet Phon district and Pha Taem National Park in Khong Chiam district in the province.

This visit is Steinmeier’s first visit to Thailand since taking office in 2022 and Thailand’s first official visit by the Head of a foreign government under the current Thai administration. The last German president to visit Thailand was Johannes Rau in 2002.