60 years of friendship

MANILA, Philippines – Over the years, Thailand and the Philippines share a long standing friendship and dynamic relations anchored on many common values. Today, the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

“We have maintained our long and close relationship with the Philippines. Some 50 to 60 years ago, Thai people came to the Philippines to study and benefit from its advanced educational system,” says the affable Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya. 

The ambassador adds: “So healthy is the bilateral ties between Thailand and the Philippines that the two countries maintain a robust economic relationship, with a total volume trade of more than $5 billion. 

Thailand’s private sector investment in the Philippines can be seen in a variety of industries — from banking, healthcare, food and paper to ceramics, energy and airline.

Singhara says the Thai businesses have been able “to leverage the skill and potential of the Philippine workforce, for the high level of training, international exposure, language capabilities as well as strategic location of the Philippines in bridging Southeast Asia and East Asia, including the regional trade relations therein.”

“Many of the foreign direct investments from Thailand have been continually developing themselves in the Philippines for decades. They practice CSR (corporate social responsibility) and return the benefits to the Philippine local communities through various programs like scholarships, livelihood, public health and worthwhile activities for the youth,” adds Singhara.

Examples of these endeavors are the scholarships provided by the Royal Thai Embassy to university students and the construction of day-care centers in the country that provide quality education to the marginalized communities in the Philippines.

Also notable is the “SCG Sharing the Dream” scholarship program which is part of Thailand’s Siam Cement Group’s commitment to CSR. Yesterday, Singhara spearheaded the ceremonial Check Turnover of the “SCG Sharing the Dream” scholarship program in Calumpit, Bulacan.

Also at the forefront of celebrating the 60 years of friendship between Bangkok and Manila is the Thai Airways.

“This year, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Thailand-Philippines diplomatic relations, none has been more important, for the social and economic development of both nations, than the long-standing air services operated by Thai Airways International,” says Nivat Chantarachoti, Thai Airways GM in the Philippines. 

Chantarachoti adds: “As Thailand’s national flag carrier, THAI was among the first airlines operating between Bangkok and Manila in 1962, two years after its inauguration. At that time, THAI was still in its formative years, concentrating on the building of a route network covering the most important destinations throughout Asia. THAI currently operates 11 flights a week between Manila and Bangkok, in addition to daily flight between Manila and Osaka.”

All the former Thai Ambassadors to the Philippines and former Defense Attaches have flown in to gather at a gala celebration tonight in Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. This is one activity that will truly highlight the 60 years of friendship between Thailand and the Philippines, Singhara notes.

Other activities that have been undertaken this year by the Thai Embassy included the education and familiarization visit of the Royal Thai Air Force cadets in February; visits of General Songkitti Jaggabatara, chief of Defense Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces in March; the goodwill mission of His Thai Majesty Ship Taksin and Bangpakong in April; and the recent visit of Admiral Khamthorn Pumhiran, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy in May.

In the area of cultural diplomacy, the activities undertaken included: cultural immersion trip of Honorary Consuls and prominent members of Philippine society to Thailand in February; the Puppet Theatre Show in Manila also in February; and the Songkran Festival in April.

“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,” Singhara concludes.