Thailand has brighter prospects in trade with Latin American countries which have expressed interest in buying health-related products, seafood and auto components from the kingdom.
The prospects were revealed at a seminar by members of a Thai trade delegation which recently visited Latin America to explore more trade opportunities.
Addressing the seminar, Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said the interest in Thai goods expressed by the Latin American traders was a "positive sign to enhance Thai business and investment there".
"Thailand has engaged in trade with European and Asian countries for a very long time. We must open wider opportunities to Thai businessmen in different locations," he said.
The seminar, entitled "Opportunity and Capacity of Thai Investment in New Destinations: Brazil, Colombia and Mexico", was co-hosted by the Foreign Ministry's American and South Pacific Department and the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Songsak Saicheua, head of the American and South Pacific Department who led the Thai delegation on the visit, said Thai products have a good image in Latin America, compared with those from China and other Asian nations.
The delegation, comprising representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), found during their stay in Sao Paolo that Brazil was keen on importing more health goods such as herbal products and massage oil from Thailand.
In Bogota, Colombia, the Thai delegation held the country's first consultations on matters of common interests.
The Colombian National War College expressed an interest in strengthening military cooperation and organising joint combat training, with the navy and army in particular.
Phairush Burapachaisri, vice-president of the Board of Trade of Thailand and chief of the Thai-Latin America Business Council, said the delegation found Colombia to be the most active trade partner on this continent.
Both countries had a similar GDP level, approximately $380 million. In order to make Thailand widely known, many books regarding Thailand and its relations with Colombia had been given to Pontificia Javeriana University to open a "Thai corner" in its library.
Thawee Piyapattana, FTI vice-president, said Thailand's seafood products had export potential.
He said, however, the Board of Investment would need to amend certain laws to pave the way for successful trade relations.