Strategic Partnership and Democratic Alliance Treaty Between Thailand and Sweden

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Strategic Partnership and Democratic Alliance Treaty Between the Socialist Republic of Thailand and the Kingdom of Sweden​

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Preamble​

Recognizing the longstanding commitment of the Socialist Republic of Thailand and the Kingdom of Sweden to democratic values, human rights promotion, and the inviolability of civil liberties;

Acknowledging the unique existing partnership between Thailand and Sweden, which took root during the 1998 Swedish-South African War, resulting in the unprecedented humanitarian cooperation between the two countries to alleviate the suffering of all people under the apartheid and authoritarian regime;

Affirming the mutual dedication to mutual defense, interests, prosperity, and enlargement of our citizens’ freedom to live unfettered lives as they wish, given that it doesn’t interfere with the freedom of others;

Desiring to formalize the strategic partnership between Thailand and Sweden, grounded in the shared aspiration of our people for a future free from war, wants, oppression, and ecological destruction;

Expressing a commitment to peaceful international relations, mutual respect, and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, while upholding the principles of responsibility to protect and international laws;

The Socialist Republic of Thailand and the Kingdom of Sweden (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”) have reached the following bilateral agreements:

Article I: Purpose

1. This Strategic Partnership and Democratic Alliance Treaty (hereinafter referred to as “the Treaty”) serves to formalize the existing and deep bilateral cooperation between the Parties on a comprehensive scope, whether militarily, culturally, economically, or politically.
2. The Treaty is intended to create legally binding obligations under international law and represents a statement of intent to pursue collaborative activities based on mutual understanding and reciprocal benefit.

Article 2: Reciprocal Visa-on-Arrival Arrangement

1. Thailand shall ensure the safe, swift, and predictable passage of all Swedish passport holders through:
   • The issuance of a 60-day visa on arrival to all Swedish passport holders upon their legal and documented registration of intention to stay at the Thai Customs.
   • The equal treatment of all Swedish passport holders in Thailand is equivalent to that of Thai citizenship holders.
   • The assurance of necessary civil liberties required for uninterrupted legal conduct in Thailand, such as freedom of expression, freedom of movement, right to peaceful assembly, access to legal representation, due process, and other rights as protected by Thai laws, to Swedish passport holders.
2. Sweden shall ensure the safe, swift, and predictable passage of all Thai passport holders through:
   • The issuance of a 60-day visa on arrival to all Thai passport holders upon their legal and documented registration of intention to stay at the Swedish Customs.
   • The equal treatment of all Thai passport holders in Thailand is equivalent to that of Swedish citizenship holders.
   • The assurance of necessary civil liberties required for uninterrupted legal conduct in Sweden, such as freedom of expression, freedom of movement, right to peaceful assembly, access to legal representation, due process, and other rights as protected by Swedish laws, to Thai passport holders.
3. The Parties shall exchange intelligence when their respective countries' high-profile individuals, specifically former prisoners, potential crime suspects, and dangerous personalities, intend to travel to the Parties’ territories.
4. The Parties agree that both countries reserve the right to deny entry to individuals deemed undesirable per Article 2 (3), and the Parties must facilitate the return of such persons.
5. The Parties agree that both countries reserve the right to arbitrarily return individuals from the other party who commit a crime inside the territories of the Parties, following international law and due process.

Article 3: Mutual Defense and Security Commitment

1. The Parties hereby enter a mutual defense pact where an attack on one party is considered an attack on the other. This clause can only be invoked in the case of a defensive war and shall never be abused as a justification to attack other sovereign nations.
2. The Parties agree to foster comprehensive and transparent intelligence exchange schemes between both countries’ intelligence communities regarding mutual threats, interests, or provisional collaborations. They also agree that the Parties reserve the right to deny sharing intelligence deemed critical to their national security.
3. The Parties’ armed forces agree to the extent of the right of naval and aerial replenishments to one another. They shall allow the military assets and personnel of one another to utilize their military facilities, whether of ground, naval, or air forces, after a secure and advanced notice is provided. The Parties reserve the right to refuse such requests, but shall always allow military facility utilization in case of humanitarian distress.

Article 4: Technological Cooperation and Sustainable Development

1. The Participants recognize the transformative potential of technology for advancing social progress and sustainable development within their respective constitutional frameworks and relevant domestic laws.
2. The Participants agree to explore mutual sustainable development goals in pursuit of a cleaner and greener world for their future generations.
3. The Parties agree to intensify or establish a formal channel for their scientists to exchange best practices and research contributing to their countries’ greater clean energy independence.
4. The Participants will explore opportunities for joint research and development projects in areas of mutual interest, focusing on technologies that enhance social well-being, environmental sustainability, and democratic participation.

Article 5: Democratic, Educational, and Cultural Exchanges

1. The Parties agree that democracy is the most suitable form of governance where the people have the right to self-determination through inclusive, transparent, and deliberative processes.
2. The Parties agree to exchange best practices regarding democratic governance, human rights promotion, civil liberties safeguard, and humanitarian assistance. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs shall serve as the point of exchange.
3. The Parties agree to promote greater cultural and educational exchanges between the countries, fostering a lasting people-to-people relationship based on mutual values and democratic foundations.

Article 6: Implementation and Modalities

1) To facilitate the implementation of the Treaty, the Parties will establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprised of representatives from the Socialist Republic of Thailand and the Kingdom of Sweden.
2) The JWG will be responsible for:

• Developing specific plans of action and collaborative projects within the areas of cooperation outlined in the Treaty.
• Facilitating communication and coordination between the Participants.
• Monitoring the progress of cooperative activities and evaluating their effectiveness.
• Organizing meetings, exchanges, and joint initiatives as agreed upon by the Participants.

3) The JWG will meet periodically, either in person or virtually, as mutually determined by the Parties.
4) The Parties will each designate a primary point of contact to serve as a liaison for the JWG and to facilitate the implementation of the Treaty.
5) The activities undertaken within the framework of the Treaty will be subject to the availability of resources and mutual agreement of the Parties.​

Article 7: General Provisions

1. The Treaty will commence upon signature and subsequent ratification by the authorized representatives of the Parties and will continue for an initial period of ten (10) years, with the possibility of extension or renewal upon mutual agreement.
2. The Treaty may be amended or supplemented by mutual written agreement of the Parties.
3. Any differences or disputes arising from the interpretation or implementation of the Treaty will be resolved amicably through consultations and dialogue between the Parties.
4. The Treaty may be terminated by either Party upon thirty (30) days' written notice to the other Party. Termination will not affect the completion of ongoing activities unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.
5. The Treaty is signed in duplicate in Bangkok on this day, the Fifteenth of April, 2006.

FOR THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF THAILAND
Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra
Rotating Coordinator

FOR THE Kingdom of Sweden
Mr. Frederik Reinfeldt
Prime Minister​