Taiwan's representative office in Bangkok used its National Day reception to push economic and tech ties with Thailand, a positive signal for Taiwan's regional diplomacy.

• More than a thousand guests attended, including Thai officials, military and police, business groups and foreign envoys.
• Taiwan's envoy Lan Hsia-li pitched Taiwan as a trusted tech partner, noting it makes over 90% of the world's advanced chips and assembles most AI servers.
• The ties run deep both ways: Taiwan is Thailand's third-largest import source and fourth-largest trading partner, while Thailand is a top travel destination for Taiwanese.
• A new Taiwan-Thailand tech talent platform and extended visa-free travel are meant to deepen business and cultural links.
• The Vatican and Guatemala sent ambassadors, with Guatemala's envoy pointing to warm trade and investment ties after Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's recent visit there.

Outlook: Expect Taipei to keep leaning on chips and AI supply-chain clout to win more room in Southeast Asia under its New Southbound push.