Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to a new level of productive exchanges with the Philippines as the two countries marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship this year.

Speaking at a celebration at the Dusit Thani Hotel on Thursday, which commemorated the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, Thailand’s National Day, and Thailand’s Father’s Day, Thai Ambassador Tull Traisorat reflected on the progress the Philippines and Thailand.

“Over the past two and a half years of my tenure, we have adopted a whole-of-society approach to promoting cooperation by engaging all sectors of society in both countries.”

The ambassador provided an ideal backdrop for discussions on the shared achievements and future potential of the Thailand-Philippines partnership, which has grown stronger in various areas of mutual interest.

He underscored the successful collaboration across key sectors, such as agriculture, energy and infrastructure, highlighting the positive impact of joint efforts in addressing shared challenges and driving mutual benefits.

For instance, the rice trade between Thailand and the Philippines has moved beyond well-established precedents and represented a nice upward curve.

Thailand contributes to the Philippines’ priority on food security with its top-quality jasmine-rice exports (as well as its proprietary soft-ground white rice out in the global market soon) at the level that meets the demands of Philippine importers and consumers.

From January to March of 2022, the Philippines imported $23.97-million rice from Thailand.

Tourism collaboration has a rosy outlook on boosting the two nations’ dive destinations through the ambassador’s proprietary “Two Countries, One Destination” concept.

Imagine: Tourists who visit, say, the beaches of Phuket, may, all in one day, seamlessly enjoy Cebu.

“Tourists from Europe, US, who travel a long way so they would like to cover more than one country can continue to Cebu from Phi Islands to see whale sharks and Sumilon or the Kawasan Falls. They can even continue to Palau, as well, so maybe three countries-one destination, before they go back to the US through Palau,” Traisorat said.

The key, according to Ambassador Traisorat, is direct flights. Perhaps a parallel cruise.

Today, there are no direct flights from Phuket to Cebu, Puerto Princesa or Bohol.

The concept could also apply to cruise tourism to cover both Thailand and the Philippines as well as other Southeast Asian countries.

The Philippines and Thailand first established diplomatic relations in 1949.

As part of the 75th anniversary commemorations, H.E. Maris Sangiampongsa, Thailand’s minister of foreign affairs, visited the Philippines in July.

The discussions, promised a series of high-level exchanges and key bilateral mechanisms.