Dr. Guido Westerwelle, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, will pay an official visit to Thailand as guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 - 29 April 2012. The aim of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Thai - German diplomatic relations in 2012.
During the visit, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will graciously grant an audience to the German Foreign Minister on 28 April 2012. Dr. Westerwelle will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 27 April 2012, at the Government House.
After the Royal audience on 28 April 2012, Dr. Westerwelle and his delegation, comprising German MPs, businessmen and members of the media, will travel to former capital Ayutthaya for a visit to the restoration project of Wat Ratchaburana, which was affected by the Great Floods in 2011. On that evening, he will preside over the event in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce.
On 29 April 2012, Dr. Westerwelle will meet with Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, for a bilateral discussion, to be followed by the exchange of copies of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, which was signed in 1862, to commemorate the beginning of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and Germany. On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will host a luncheon in honour of Dr. Westerwelle. After this visit to Thailand, Dr. Westerwelle and the delegation will travel to Myanmar.
(The last German Foreign Minister who paid a visit to Thailand was Mr. Joschka Fischer, German Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in January 2005.)
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