On 6 December 2024, Mr. Benjamin P. Reyes, Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

On this occasion, both sides exchanged views on establishing the Colombo Plan's field office in Thailand and strengthening development cooperation between Thailand and the Colombo Plan, particularly in three areas: transnational crime, water management, and air pollution. Additionally, the possibility of the re-establishment of scholarships programme under the Colombo Plan was also discussed.

The Colombo Plan was established in 1951 to promote the economic and social development of the countries in Asia and the Pacific. The Secretariat is situated in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thailand joined the group in 1954. Currently, the Colombo Plan has 28 Member Countries. As Thailand’s national focal point for the Colombo Plan, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) plays an active role in the Colombo Plan by sharing best practices and offering training programs in areas such as agriculture and food security, community-based tourism, SMEs, and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). These initiatives aim to promote SDG attainment among the Colombo Plan’s Member States.