On 27 August 2010, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Putosan Island, Zhoushan Municipality, Zhejiang province to preside over the handover ceremony of the Thai pavilion on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Sino-Thai diplomatic relations. The project of building Thai pavilion at Putosan Island, which was the first pavilion that the Royal Thai Government gave to China, was carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai, on behalf of the Thai Government, with cooperation of the Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture of Thailand.
Mr. Zhou Guo Hui, Mayor of Zhoushan Municipality, stated that during Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit to Putosan Island in 2007 to enhance the relationship between Thailand and China, Her Royal Highness Princess was of the view that a Thai Pavilion should be built as a landmark for tourist attraction. After that, the authorities concerned of the two countries had worked together on the matter and agreed that the 35th anniversary of the Sino-Thai diplomatic relations was the appropriate time for the official handover ceremony of the Thai pavilion. Mr. Zhou also thanked Foreign Minister Kasit and the Thai delegation for their participation in the ceremony. He expressed his appreciation that the Thai Foreign Minister and his accompanying party had departed from Shanghai by car and arrived Zhoushan Municipality at 03.00 hrs., which reflected their determination to strengthen the Thai-Chinese relations.
Foreign Minister Kasit stated that he recognized the beauty of Putosan Island which is also one of the most famous places in China in term of Buddhism. The similarity of Thai and Chinese culture and also religion play a vital role in strengthening close relations among the peoples of both countries. Since Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit to Putosan Island in April 2007, the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries have been strengthened. Her Royal Highness Princess’ initiative to build the Thai pavilion reflected her vision that the pavilion will not only be a physical link, but also tourist, cultural and religious link between both nations. The “Zizaiting” Pavilion, which was the first Thai pavilion in China, was a symbol of close relationship among the peoples of the two countries also reflected goodwill of the Thais to Chinese counterpart.
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