Thailand, Phl take diplomatic relations to new heights

The Kingdom of Thailand, through His Excellency Thailand Ambassador to the Philippines Tull Traisorat, aims to take the country's mutual relations to new heights not only between governments, but also businesses and people.

"We have been working closely and we will continue to do so with all stakeholders, both public and private, in a series leading to the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations of Thailand and Philippines," Traisorat said in a recent reception.

Thailand is commemorating three auspicious occasions: The birthday of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Thailand's Father's Day.

King Bhumibol is famous for his sufficiency economy philosophy. He has been internationally recognized by the United Nations with the first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award since 2016.

Ambassador Traisorat recalls the tireless personal commitment of the late His Majesty to the sustainability of the soil resources.

The Thai envoy also noted the two nations' close and cordial ties that have grown and deepened at all levels and aspects through exchanges of high-level visits, strengthening economic and business partnerships and dynamic people-to-people contacts.

Today, cooperation between Thailand and the Philippines continues to thrive with many Thai conglomerates heavily investing in the Philippines. CPL Group Public Company Limited has invested over two billion US dollars in the Philippines, both in the agro-industrial and the aqua industrial business.

In the energy sector, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Corporation is engaged in the trading of petroleum products in the Philippines after operating 188 petrol stations and 14 coffee shops around the country. In addition, Thailand eco company is operating two large power plants to supply electricity in partnership with Meralco.

Prominent Thai companies have continuously supported infrastructure development, particularly the country's Build, Build, Build and Build, Better, More programs, Traisorat added.

Thailand's SCG has invested in the construction and building materials sector while the Italian Thai development is working on the construction of a 12-Kilometer elevated rail station in the towns of San Fernando and Mabalacat, Pampanga under the north south commuter railway project.

"The strong presence of Thai businesses in the Philippines, as well as their large-scale investment in the Philippines' priorities area are testament to the trust and confidence of the Thai businesses to tap into the Philippines' risky resilient economy that has the highest GDP growth rate in the region," Traisorat said.

The Federation of Thai industries also expressed readiness to invest in a wide range of areas that include infrastructure, transportation, tourism and food security to achieve the trade and investment objective of both economies, bringing about mutual benefit to both countries and their people.

The Royal Thai embassy stands ready to drive forward the momentum through cooperation and collaboration with both the public and private sector, the Business Council, Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Industries and the Bank Associations of both countries, Traisorat added.

The Royal Thai Embassy has continued successful operations with the Department of Education on a cooperative project on children and youth development under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The said initiative includes the establishment of two schools in Rizal, two schools in Leyte, two schools in Sarangani, and one in North Surigao.

With a view of promoting two-way tourism, the embassy has also been discussing with various stakeholders the concept of "two countries, one destination" where travelers can visit vice versa under joint tour packages with the support of possible sister city relationships and more direct flights.

"As the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of the Philippines, I feel greatly honored and privileged to be with one of Thailand's longest, closest friends and partners in the region. Similarities have been a bedrock of our profound and longstanding friendship," Traisorat ended.

Thailand and the Philippines will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2024.