สถานเอกอัครราชทูต

As part of the activities of the 60th Anniversary of Thai-Philippine Diplomatic Relations in 2009, the Royal Thai Embassy in cooperation with the City of Manila, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International, has organized the Aksara Puppet Show on 26 February to be held at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Auditorium, Intramuros, Manila.

The Aksara Puppet Show aims to promote cultural exchange between Thailand and the Philippines by showcasing the ancient art of Thai puppetry. In parallel, the Embassy has organized an Exhibition on the Royal Projects of His Majesty the King of Thailand proudly sharing His Majesty?s extraordinary works which has benefited the lives of the Thai people and contributed to the national development with our Filipino friends.

The Embassy is honoured to have received the invaluable support of the City of Manila as well as the? Team Thailand in the Philippines, particularly the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International, in facilitating all the arrangements to ensure the success of the said event.

I am confident that these cultural activities will not only contribute to the strengthening of our diplomatic relations through the promotion of cultural cooperation but also enhance people-to-people contacts and deepen our mutual understanding.

Once again, the Royal Thai Embassy extends an invitation to all and ?Friends of Thailand? to be? a part of this cultural event as well as all the upcoming special events and activities? this year.

Delegates,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,


On behalf of the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila, allow me to express my warmest welcome to all of you at the Thai residence tonight. It is my pleasure to exchange and share view with you on the development of ASEAN as it enters into the fourth decade. ?

For the first time in 41 years of regional cooperation, the creation of the? ASEAN charter represents a momentous occasion for ASEAN Member States to reiterate its commitment to community-building in ASEAN. The ASEAN charter? signifies its role as a regional player in the future by establishing the legal and institutional framework for ASEAN.

Let me now share with you all the important task assigned to the High Level Legal Experts? Group (HLEG) as they are now meeting in Manila. I am confident that this meeting will provide the impetus that will put direction to a stronger ASEAN community in the future encompassing ASEAN?s economic, political, social and cultural role. For us, as the present chairman of ASEAN during July 2008 ? December 2009, Thailand attaches high importance in materializing the ASEAN Charter. To take active part in the process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has assigned our two distinguished Ambassadors, Ambassador Vasin Teeravechyan and Ambassador Dr. Thanes Sucharikul, to work with all of you. With the fruits of your hard work on this aspect, your recommendations shall be further submitted to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers at the 14th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in December, for guidance and direction.

Indeed, with your vast experience and in-depth knowledge as the resource persons of HLEG, I truly appreciate your contribution and firmly believe that your hard work will bring about the success of ASEAN. I wish you all the best and hope for your success in further strengthening ASEAN? greater efficiency.

Thank you.

(General Alexander B.Yano)
(Vice Admiral Ferdinand S. Golez)
Rear Admiral Montri Srakaew,
Captain Samarn Khunthaphong,
Captain Ruangsan Buaphuak,?? ?
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,


On behalf of the Royal Thai Embassy and Team Thailand in the Philippines, it is a great pleasure to express my warmest welcome to the 574 officers, cadets and crew members on board HTMS Taksin and HTMS Bangpakong on its operational visit to the Philippines during 8 ? 10 April 2009. Let me take this opportunity to commend the efforts of the Office of the Naval Attache, in particular the hard work of Capt. Wilers Smabut, which made this visit possible. I would also like to express my sincerest appreciation to Mayor Alfredo Lim and the City of Manila and the Philippine Navy, especially the invaluable efforts of Vice Admiral Ferdinand S. Golez, Flag Officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy for the hospitality extended to the Royal Thai Navy during their visit.

As Friends of Thailand, the Royal Thai Embassy is honoured by the presence of Armed Forces of the Philippines? dignitaries here tonight. Be assured that Team Thailand in the Philippines will work hand-in-hand with the AFP to enhance our cooperation even more closer.

On this note, I am confident that these military activities will further contribute to the increased cooperation and goodwill as well as re-affirm the close ties of friendship between Thailand and the Philippines. You can be assured that the Royal Thai Embassy is always ready to support such activities, particularly, this overseas training for naval cadets which will add to the closer network and familiarization between our two navy. ?

Distinguished Guests,
Honourable colleagues, this goodwill mission evidently serves as a testament to the close relations between our two countries and peoples, particularly in enhancing people-to-people contacts, and more opportunities of activities and networking between our two armed forces, especially as Thailand and the Philippines celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our Diplomatic Relations throughout this year. Further, adding value to this celebration was the educational and familiarization visit of the Royal Thai Air Force in the Philippines last? 25-26 February and the visit of the Air Force cadets and the visit of General Songkitti Jaggabatara, Chief of Defense Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces during? 2-4 March 2009,? as well as through cultural diplomacy particularly the Puppet Theatre Show held in Manila last 26 February to name a few.

Further, the Royal Thai Embassy looks forward to the upcoming visit of Admiral Khamthorn Pumhiran, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy this May.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to present plaques of appreciation to the outstanding naval officers for their successful operational visit, which without their efforts will not be made possible, namely:

• Rear Admiral Montri Srakaew, Unit Commander of HTMS Taksin and HTMS Bangpakong,
• Captain Samarn Khunthaphong, Commanding Officer of HTMS Bangpakong, and
• Captain Ruangsan Buaphuak, Commanding Officer of HTMS Taksin.

Thank you very much, welcome aboard and I hope you all enjoy the reception tonight. Mabuhay!

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.

?