Bangkok--Apr 9--MFA
Statement by H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul,Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, at the Launching Ceremony of the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Korea, at Naradhip Auditorium, on 8 April 2008, 14.00 — 15.00 hours
Your Excellency Ambassador Han Tae-kyu,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed an honour and pleasure for me to preside over today’s launching ceremony of the activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Republic of Korea. Both sides will hold a number of events and activities throughout the year 2008 to commemorate this auspicious occasion, as well as to strengthen the foundations of our close and friendly relations in the years to come.
Let me take this opportunity to provide a little bit of background information on this year’s celebrations.
The friendship between Thailand and the Republic of Korea predates the official establishment of diplomatic ties. In the late 14th century, Siamese envoys were granted an audience by King Kongyang of the Koryo Kingdom. However, due to the difficulty of travelling from Siam to Koryo by sea, it was not until November 1950 that official contact was re-established.
Thailand was one of the first countries to answer the United Nations’ call for troops at the outbreak of the Korean War and more than 6,500 Thai soldiers fought to defend the fledgling Republic throughout the War. Of this number, over one thousand were killed or wounded in action. Today, Thailand is proud to remain part of the United Nations Command, a fitting testament to both the sacrifice of our soldiers and our commitment to safeguard the freedom and security of the Republic of Korea.
It was on 1 October 1958 that our two countries issued a joint communiqu? establishing formal diplomatic relations. Thailand and the Republic of Korea exchanged diplomatic representatives with the rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, based in Taipei (in the case of Thailand) and Saigon (in the case of the Republic of Korea). The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul was established two years later.
The Republic of Korea is now an economic powerhouse in Asia and a vital strategic partner for Thai trade and investment. Korea ranks as Thailand’s 11th largest trading partner. In addition, Thailand is one of the premier holiday destinations for Korean tourists. In 2007, more than one million Korean tourists visited Thailand. Phuket is the most popular honeymoon destination for Koreans, and I may go so far as to suggest that many of the emerging generation of young Koreans were and will be “Made in Thailand.”
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me now mention a few of the activities and events that Thailand will hold to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
The performance by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra or BSO, accompanied by Korean musicians, on 1 October 2008 as part of a joint concert and reception hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, will be the highlight of our celebrations to commemorate this auspicious occasion. The BSO will be performing compositions by His Majesty the King.
Another highlight will be the hun lakhon lek (หุ่นละครเล็ก) traditional small puppets by the Joe Louis Theatre Troupe, which will take place in the Republic of Korea this year. Thai theatrical puppetry is unique among the various forms of puppetry in that it is derived from the traditional Thai khon (โขน) theatre — a highly sophisticated and stylised form of staged entertainment with dancing, singing and music.
Thailand Post and Korea Post will jointly issue commemorative stamps commissioned especially for the 50th anniversary celebrations. The stamps are expected to be formally launched on 1 October 2008 in both Thailand and the Republic of Korea.
Also in October, the Ministry of Commerce and the Office of the Board of Investment will organize a seminar on trade and investment in Seoul, which aims to provide vital information for interested parties who wish to do business or invest in Thailand.
A war memorial to commemorate the sacrifices made by Thai soldiers during the Korean War will be erected at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (UNMCK) in Busan, this year. It is expected that the ceremony to unveil this memorial will coincide with the visit to the Republic of Korea by Thai war veterans from the Korean War.
The Ministry of Science and Technology will host a Science Camp at Sakaerat (สะแกราช) Environmental Research Station in Nakorn Ratchasima Province. Participants will include both Thai and Korean high school students. I sincerely believe that this activity could help foster interaction and friendship as well as constructive partnership between Thai and Korean youths.
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Both Thailand and the Republic of Korea are at important political junctures as we both have recently elected new governments. We have plans to hold a Joint Commission Meeting and exchange high-level visits as part of our celebrations. I am optimistic that this bodes well for even closer relations between our two countries.
I also believe that both governments will be proactive and expand our cooperations in all areas, such as trade, tourism, science and technology, education, cultural exchange, and our people to people contact.
In closing, on this remarkable milestone, permit me to express my gratitude for all the kind support and cooperation of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand and all participants from various sectors. Furthermore, I wish all the forthcoming commemorative events and activities, resounding success that will further cement relationship between Thailand and the Republic of Korea for many years to come.
Thank you very much.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
Statement by H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul,Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, at the Launching Ceremony of the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Korea, at Naradhip Auditorium, on 8 April 2008, 14.00 — 15.00 hours
Your Excellency Ambassador Han Tae-kyu,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed an honour and pleasure for me to preside over today’s launching ceremony of the activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Republic of Korea. Both sides will hold a number of events and activities throughout the year 2008 to commemorate this auspicious occasion, as well as to strengthen the foundations of our close and friendly relations in the years to come.
Let me take this opportunity to provide a little bit of background information on this year’s celebrations.
The friendship between Thailand and the Republic of Korea predates the official establishment of diplomatic ties. In the late 14th century, Siamese envoys were granted an audience by King Kongyang of the Koryo Kingdom. However, due to the difficulty of travelling from Siam to Koryo by sea, it was not until November 1950 that official contact was re-established.
Thailand was one of the first countries to answer the United Nations’ call for troops at the outbreak of the Korean War and more than 6,500 Thai soldiers fought to defend the fledgling Republic throughout the War. Of this number, over one thousand were killed or wounded in action. Today, Thailand is proud to remain part of the United Nations Command, a fitting testament to both the sacrifice of our soldiers and our commitment to safeguard the freedom and security of the Republic of Korea.
It was on 1 October 1958 that our two countries issued a joint communiqu? establishing formal diplomatic relations. Thailand and the Republic of Korea exchanged diplomatic representatives with the rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, based in Taipei (in the case of Thailand) and Saigon (in the case of the Republic of Korea). The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul was established two years later.
The Republic of Korea is now an economic powerhouse in Asia and a vital strategic partner for Thai trade and investment. Korea ranks as Thailand’s 11th largest trading partner. In addition, Thailand is one of the premier holiday destinations for Korean tourists. In 2007, more than one million Korean tourists visited Thailand. Phuket is the most popular honeymoon destination for Koreans, and I may go so far as to suggest that many of the emerging generation of young Koreans were and will be “Made in Thailand.”
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me now mention a few of the activities and events that Thailand will hold to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
The performance by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra or BSO, accompanied by Korean musicians, on 1 October 2008 as part of a joint concert and reception hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, will be the highlight of our celebrations to commemorate this auspicious occasion. The BSO will be performing compositions by His Majesty the King.
Another highlight will be the hun lakhon lek (หุ่นละครเล็ก) traditional small puppets by the Joe Louis Theatre Troupe, which will take place in the Republic of Korea this year. Thai theatrical puppetry is unique among the various forms of puppetry in that it is derived from the traditional Thai khon (โขน) theatre — a highly sophisticated and stylised form of staged entertainment with dancing, singing and music.
Thailand Post and Korea Post will jointly issue commemorative stamps commissioned especially for the 50th anniversary celebrations. The stamps are expected to be formally launched on 1 October 2008 in both Thailand and the Republic of Korea.
Also in October, the Ministry of Commerce and the Office of the Board of Investment will organize a seminar on trade and investment in Seoul, which aims to provide vital information for interested parties who wish to do business or invest in Thailand.
A war memorial to commemorate the sacrifices made by Thai soldiers during the Korean War will be erected at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (UNMCK) in Busan, this year. It is expected that the ceremony to unveil this memorial will coincide with the visit to the Republic of Korea by Thai war veterans from the Korean War.
The Ministry of Science and Technology will host a Science Camp at Sakaerat (สะแกราช) Environmental Research Station in Nakorn Ratchasima Province. Participants will include both Thai and Korean high school students. I sincerely believe that this activity could help foster interaction and friendship as well as constructive partnership between Thai and Korean youths.
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Both Thailand and the Republic of Korea are at important political junctures as we both have recently elected new governments. We have plans to hold a Joint Commission Meeting and exchange high-level visits as part of our celebrations. I am optimistic that this bodes well for even closer relations between our two countries.
I also believe that both governments will be proactive and expand our cooperations in all areas, such as trade, tourism, science and technology, education, cultural exchange, and our people to people contact.
In closing, on this remarkable milestone, permit me to express my gratitude for all the kind support and cooperation of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand and all participants from various sectors. Furthermore, I wish all the forthcoming commemorative events and activities, resounding success that will further cement relationship between Thailand and the Republic of Korea for many years to come.
Thank you very much.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-