Saudi Arabia, Thailand restore full diplomatic ties; direct flights to resume in May

Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman receives Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha in Riyadh, on Jan 25, 2022. - Reuters

CAIRO (Reuters): Saudi Arabia and Thailand agreed on Tuesday (Jan 25) to exchange ambassadors in the first high-level meeting between the two countries since a row over a jewellery theft nearly three decades ago led the Gulf state to downgrade ties.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and visiting Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha agreed on the appointment of ambassadors "in the near future" and to strengthen economic and trade relations, said a joint statement on Saudi state media.