Thailand-Bhutan agreements include study support for 100-megawatt solar project

Thailand and Bhutan have agreed on technical support for reviewing a proposed 100-megawatt solar-agriculture project in Tareythang, Bhutan. The arrangement was among three cooperation documents signed in Thimphu during an official visit by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who witnessed the signing.

The energy document brings together Bhutan's Finance Ministry, Norion Renewable Energy Ltd and Thailand's Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA). It provides assistance for the review of the project's feasibility studies and detailed designs.

Government spokesman Ekkapob Pianpises said the agreements were intended to encourage technology and knowledge exchanges, strengthen healthcare, support renewable energy and broaden financing access for farmers and small businesses.

A memorandum between the two public health ministries covers universal healthcare, efforts to prevent and control disease, research and training for medical personnel. Digital healthcare cooperation includes telemedicine and artificial intelligence. The memorandum also addresses arrangements enabling Bhutanese patients to seek care in Thailand's public hospitals.

Separately, Bhutan Development Bank Ltd (BDBL) and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) renewed their financial cooperation memorandum. Their collaboration covers green lending for sustainable farming, assessment of credit risk, cross-border transfers, and trade involving agricultural and community-based products.

Before the signing, Anutin met Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in Thimphu on Oct 30. They agreed to deepen cooperation across investment, trade, infrastructure, education, healthcare and clean energy. The leaders also welcomed advances towards a bilateral free trade agreement, expressing hope that it would enter into force on Jan 1, 2027.