Thailand is striving to achieve trade agreements and visa-free travel arrangements with the European Union within the current year.

Here are the key points:

1. Thailand's goal is to finalize free trade and visa exemption agreements with the EU in the current year.
2. Thai authorities anticipate that these agreements would mutually benefit both parties.
3. Thailand has been actively advocating for visa exemption and has sought support from several EU countries.

Thailand is aiming to reach a free trade agreement as well as a visa waiver agreement with the European Union this year.

Here's the rephrased content:

Aligning with the national objectives, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, Jakkapong Sangmanee, emphasized that the proposed free trade agreement would be mutually beneficial, fostering economic growth for both Thailand and the EU.

He underscored that a visa exemption agreement allowing Thais to travel freely to the EU would enhance interpersonal connections and streamline entry into the Schengen Area, eliminating the need for cumbersome visa processes.

In pursuit of enhanced people-to-people connectivity, Thailand seeks EU support for facilitating visa-free access to the Schengen zone for Thai nationals.

Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, Jakkapong Sangmanee, disclosed that discussions on a free trade agreement with the EU commenced in September of the previous year and were continued in January of the current year, with further talks anticipated in June.

Jakkapong emphasized the timeliness of reaching a trade agreement that fosters more flexible trade regulations, benefiting both parties involved.

The EU Ambassador to Thailand, David Daly, highlighted that the current bilateral trade agreement already amounts to approximately €1 billion per week, underscoring the potential for further growth through a free trade agreement.

While Daly didn't provide an official statement regarding the visa-free travel agreement, Thailand has actively sought support from EU member states for visa exemptions to facilitate easier travel to the Schengen Area.

Thailand has pursued Schengen visa exemptions, recently seeking support from Czechia and France. During a meeting in March, Thailand's Deputy Secretary, Nathapol Khantahiran, appealed to Czechia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for assistance in securing visa exemptions with the EU.

Khantahiran emphasized the importance of visa-free entry to bolster Thailand-EU relations. Additionally, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin solicited French President Emmanuel Macron's support for a visa-free travel agreement, with Macron expressing his country's backing for such an arrangement, offering optimism for streamlined travel procedures for Thai citizens to the Schengen Area.