Message on the60th Anniversary of Thai-Philippine Diplomatic Relations
14 June 2009

I have the honour to extend my warm greetings to the Thai community, the Philippine government,? our Filipino friends and distinguished fellows, ?Friends of Thailand? as the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Thai-Philippine Diplomatic Relations on 14 June 2009.

Over the years, Thailand and the Philippines share a long standing friendship and dynamic relations anchored on many common values. To culminate this milestone,? the Royal Thai Embassy has organized various activities to promote the long-standing ties of friendship and goodwill between our two countries and peoples.

These activities serve as testaments to the close relations between Thailand and the Philippines, particularly in enhancing people to people contacts and opportunities for joint activities and networking in the area of mutual interests. The visit of His Excellency Mr. Kasit Piromya,? Foreign Minister of Thailand in February further solidified efforts to pursue exchange of views, consult and negotiate on political, security, economic and cultural issues of mutual concern.? Further, in building our military relations, the education and familiarization visit of the Royal Thai Air Force cadets on 25-26 February, visits of General Songkitti Jaggabatara, Chief of Defense Force of the Royal Thai Armed Forces on 2-4 March 2009, the goodwill mission of His Thai Majesty Ship Taksin and Bangpakong on 8-10 April 2009, and the recent visit of Admiral Khamthorn Pumhiran, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy? on 24-26 May took place. Meanwhile, in the area of cultural diplomacy,? the activities are as follows:? cultural immersion trip of Honorary Consuls and prominent members of Philippine society to Thailand in February, the Puppet Theatre Show in Manila on 26 February, the Songkran Festival on 14 April, as well as the issuance of a commemorative stamp, and last but not the least is the gathering of former Thai Ambassadors to the Philippines and former Defense Attaches to visit Manila in June, respectively.

I am confident that these activities will not only further contribute to the strengthening of our diplomatic relations? but ensure that our special friendship will continue to flourish in the future. Once again, the Royal Thai Embassy and Team Thailand in the Philippines extend an invitation to all, and ?Friends of Thailand? to be part of our special events and activities this year.

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