Message from H.E. Mr. Chakri Srichawana, Ambassador of Thailand to Switzerland, on the Occasion of the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, Thai National Day, and Thai Father’s Day 5 December 2020
Thailand and its people attach great importance to the 5th of December as it marks the Birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, who was born on the 5th of December 1927. As King Rama IX or the ninth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great tirelessly dedicated more than seven decades to bringing economic and social development to the Kingdom. Hence, as a tribute to His Majesty the Late King, the 5th of December has been celebrated by Thais as the Thai National Day since 1960.
During His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s reign, thousands of development projects and innovations were initiated aiming at improving the lives of people in Thailand, especially those who were most vulnerable and underprivileged in the rural areas. For example, the sufficiency economy philosophy, which was promoted by His Majesty the Late King as Thailand’s sustainable development model, has benefited more than 23,000 villages in the Kingdom. In appreciation for His Majesty the Late King’s generous love, compassion and his tireless dedication to the improvement of the quality of life of his citizens, Thai people has revered him as the Father of the Nation and therefore the 5th of December has been regarded as Thai Father's Day since 1980.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s royal development projects which advocated for the sustainable management of soil and natural resources have also been recognized internationally as a means that could help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In honour of His Majesty the Late King, the United Nations therefore announced in 2013 that the 5th December of the year 2014 onwards would be recognized as World Soil Day (WSD).
The relationship between Thailand and Switzerland also associated with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. As His Majesty the Late King spent 18 years from 1933 -1951 in Lausanne with his royal family before returning to rule Thailand, thus Switzerland has been and would always be held dear by the people of Thailand. This special connection has helped to build mutual respect, trust and understanding between our peoples over the years, and laid a strong foundation for our relationship and cooperation.
With regard to Thailand – Switzerland relations, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, economic cooperation between our two countries this year remains strong. Trade figures have shown positive trends, in contrast to prior expectation. Up until October 2020, trade between Thailand and Switzerland amounted to more than 8.8 billion US dollars, a 7% increase from 2019. This makes Switzerland No. 1 trading partner of Thailand in Europe this year. The ongoing discussions between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Thailand on the possibility of the free trade negotiation resumption is also a positive sign for the future of trade between Thailand and Switzerland, which is a member and currently Chair of EFTA Council.
As far as investment is concerned, Swiss foreign direct investment in Thailand has continued to move in a positive direction. With more than 14 investment projects worth 50 million US dollars in the first three quarters of 2020, Switzerland has become the third largest European investor in Thailand, behind the Netherlands and Germany. The latest venture by Thai retail giant, Central Group, which expanded to acquire 50% stake of Globus Switzerland earlier this year also reflected a development in our economic cooperation.
On the people-to-people front, Thai community in Switzerland has continued to play an important role in forging better understanding between our peoples. Many associations run by Thai community in Switzerland have carried out various projects, aimed at helping newcomers integrate into the Swiss society as well as to educate children of mixed heritage and Swiss parents about Thai culture and traditions.
Under the current circumstance, our close collaboration has been more evident. Despite many restrictions at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Royal Thai Government worked closely with the Swiss Embassy in Bangkok to facilitate several Swiss repatriation flights to bring Swiss citizens home. Thai nationals stranded in Switzerland were also shown great generosity by the local Swiss Cantons, who granted them extension of stay permit until they could find a flight home. The Royal Thai Embassy was also able to repatriate over one thousand Thais in the past few months with the help of many Swiss public and private agencies.
The welcoming trends and strength in Thailand – Switzerland relationship would not have been possible without the support of many groups of individuals. Our gratitude is extended to colleagues and friends in both public and private sectors of Switzerland, especially at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, for their support throughout the year. We look forward to working more closely with our partners to further deepen and broaden our bilateral and multilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, be it, education, public health, disaster management, climate change, human development and innovation. The cooperation under the sub-regional, regional and international frameworks, including ASEAN and trilateral development cooperation, could also be encouraged and further explored.
As the year 2021 will mark the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Thailand - Switzerland diplomatic relations, I wish to invite everyone to join the celebrations of the auspicious occasion. Several events have already been planned by both the Royal Thai Embassy in Bern and Swiss Embassy in Bangkok throughout next year to celebrate this special milestone and highlight the excellent relationship we have had for 90 years.
Lastly, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all congratulatory messages sent to the Royal Thai Embassy on the occasion of the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, Thai National Day, and Thai Father’s Day, and take this opportunity to invite everyone to join me in extending the best wishes to Her Excellency Mrs. Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Swiss Confederation, and the Swiss people for their continued good health and success, and to the ever-lasting friendship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Swiss Confederation.
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Chakri Srichawana
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Swiss Confederation
4 December 2020
