On 8 September 2026, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), together with Mr. Tao Ma, Regional Director of the ICAO Asia and Pacific Regional Office, met with Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar Gómez, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), on the sidelines of the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions (DGCA/61) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting provided an opportunity for Thailand to present its readiness to host the ICAO Second Advanced Air Mobility Symposium 2026 (AAM 2026) and to discuss ways to strengthen Thailand’s role and participation in international civil aviation.
During the meeting, the ICAO Secretary General expressed his appreciation to Thailand for its continued support of ICAO’s mission and activities. The Thai delegation provided an update on preparations for the ICAO Second Advanced Air Mobility Symposium 2026, scheduled to take place from 1–3 December 2026 in Bangkok. Thailand reaffirmed its readiness to support the event and welcome representatives from governments, civil aviation authorities, regulators, and the aviation industry from around the world to exchange knowledge and contribute to the advancement of Advanced Air Mobility at the international level.
The Thai delegation also provided an update on Thailand’s support for the enhancement of the ICAO Asia and Pacific Regional Office, with the aim of strengthening the working environment and supporting ICAO’s effective implementation of its mission and activities across the region.
Another key topic of discussion was Thailand’s efforts to strengthen its presence and participation in the international civil aviation arena. The Thai delegation sought the Secretary General’s advice on the potential establishment of a Thai aviation representative office in Montréal, Canada, where ICAO Headquarters is located. Such a presence would enhance Thailand’s ability to participate in and closely follow ICAO meetings, policy developments, international standards, and key technical matters, while enabling closer and more continuous coordination with ICAO and its Member States.
The ICAO Secretary General expressed support for the concept and provided guidance on the potential establishment of the office. He noted that office space within ICAO Headquarters is limited and suggested that Thailand consider suitable office premises in the vicinity. This would enable Thai representatives to participate regularly in ICAO meetings, follow ongoing developments, and engage more effectively in ICAO activities.
CAAT reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ICAO’s mission and enhancing Thailand’s participation in international civil aviation cooperation at both the policy and technical levels. Through closer engagement with ICAO and its Member States, Thailand aims to contribute constructively to advancing a safe, secure, and sustainable international civil aviation system, while strengthening its role in helping shape the future direction of aviation at both the regional and global levels.
