On 21-22 May 2025, the Turkish Constitutional Court hosted the delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand as part of an official working visit.

On the first day of the visit, President of the Turkish Constitutional Court, Mr. Kadir Özkaya, held a meeting with President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Nakharin Mektrairat. The meeting took place at President Özkaya’s office and was attended by members of the Constitutional Court of Türkiye, Mr. Engin Yıldırım, Mr. Recai Akyel, Mr. İrfan Fidan, Mr. Kenan Yaşar, Mr. Ömer Çınar, and Mr. Metin Kıratlı, as well as members of the Constitutional Court of Kingdom of Thailand.

During the meeting, the parties dwelled on the ongoing cooperation between the two high courts both in terms of bilateral relations and under the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions (AACC). President Özkaya and President Mektrairat expressed their satisfaction at having the opportunity to meet and emphasised their mutual desire to further enhance the cooperation between two courts.

Following the meeting, President Özkaya addressed the guest delegation consisting of the president and members of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand, legal professionals, academics, and bureaucrats. In his remarks, President Özkaya expressed his belief that the visit would further deepen the ties between the two countries and their respective constitutional courts. He also acknowledged the successful term presidency of the AACC, which was assumed by the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand, and extended his appreciation to President Mektrairat for the valuable contributions made to the constitutional justice through the 6^th Congress of the AACC.

Continuing his remarks, President Özkaya highlighted the successful joint initiatives carried out under the AACC, noting that such efforts significantly enhance communication and cooperation among member courts/institutions. He recalled that since 2013, the Turkish Constitutional Court has annually organised Summer School programs in its capacity as the Center for Training and Human Resources Development under the Permanent Secretariat of the AACC. He stated that these programs provided a platform for participants to exchange views and experiences –both theoretical and practical– in the field of human rights. President Özkaya reaffirmed the Turkish Constitutional Court’s strong commitment to protecting and promoting fundamental rights and freedoms, emphasizing that the Court continues to assume important responsibilities also at the international level through its dedicated efforts.

President Özkaya, also pointing out the positive outcomes of the memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation signed between the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye and the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand, underlined the great importance and benefit of the exchange of experience and case-law within the scope of this agreement.

President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Nakharin Mektrairat, expressing that the Turkish Constitutional Court has a long-standing history, accompanied by extensive knowledge, remarked that the events organized on the occasion of the Court’s 63^rd anniversary were highly productive and widely appreciated. Underlining the significance of the work carried out by the Turkish Constitutional Court under the Permanent Secretariat of the AACC, President Mektrairat stated that the Turkish Court is one of the cornerstones of the AACC.

President Mektrairat further noted that their working visit to the Turkish Constitutional Court served the purpose of benefitting from international experience in the field of constitutional justice. He added that “the Turkish Constitutional Court, with its well-established institutional culture, serves as an excellent model”. President Mektrairat also expressed his belief that the visit would further strengthen the close relationship and cooperation between the two high courts.

On the second day of the visit, the delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand, consisting of 45 guests, was provided with detailed information about the structure and functioning of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye. In this regard, chief rapporteur-judges of the Turkish Constitutional Court delivered presentations under the themes “Review Mechanism of the Constitutional Court”, “Duties and Powers of the Constitutional Court”, “Milestones in Constitutional Justice” and “Constitutionality Review Mechanism”. Furthermore, during the session, views were exchanged on the judicial systems of both countries, and discussions were held on ways to further enhance cooperation in the field of judiciary.