BANGKOK, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and Switzerland on Thursday pushed to bring a new free trade agreement into force as quickly as possible, as Swiss President Guy Parmelin made the first official visit to Thailand by a Swiss president in 22 years.
The deal between Thailand and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), whose members are Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, has already been approved by the Thai parliament.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said after talks with Parmelin in Bangkok that the agreement would widen trade and investment opportunities and make businesses in both countries more competitive.
Switzerland is Thailand's largest European trading partner and has remained so through the first nine months of 2026, reflecting the strength of bilateral economic relations, Anutin told a joint press conference.
Parmelin said the high-level business delegation accompanying him demonstrated Switzerland's interest in even closer economic ties and that the agreement would open up opportunities for companies in both countries.
Parmelin is in Bangkok during the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group. ■
