On 4 May 2011, Mr. Seiji Kojima, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, held a reception to farewell the two Thai Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) who would be traveling to Fukushima to assist earthquake and tsunami victims from 7-21 May 2011 and 18 May — 4 June 2011 respectively at the Ambassador’s residence.
During his opening speech, Mr. Suangsan Jamornchan, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that Thailand placed strong significance on assisting Japan with the mentioned medical teams. He further noted that Japan’s confidence in Thai medical standards was reflected in the fact that they had accepted assistance in this regard from Thailand. He further expressed confidence that the Thai medical teams would be able to alleviate the troubles of the earthquake and tsunami victims with the best of their ability, particularly children located at temporary shelters who were at highest risk from infectious disease and required systematic care and inoculation.
Ambassador Kojima expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Thai DMAT and was confident that they would work ably with Fukushima Medical University in returning joy to the children in Fukushima’s temporary shelters. He said that Thailand was one of the countries who had continuously provided assistance and courage to warm the hearts of the Japanese in these times of trouble.
During the event, a group of Japanese youths living in Thailand also presented flowers and drawings to the Thai DMAT, with Miss Hikaru Ito, who saw the scenes of devastation while she was in Japan, making a speech to thank the Thai medical team.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th