Message from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Thailand Yevgeny Tomikhin on the occasion of Russia Day
Today, June 12, the Russian Federation celebrates its national holiday – Russia Day. In connection with this important event, I would like to convey my warmest congratulations to all Russian citizens and compatriots living and working in Thailand.
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This year is special. It is dedicated to the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Thailand, which were established during the royal visit of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the Russian Empire in 1897.
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On June 5, 2022, a festival of modern and traditional Russian and Thai dance was held in Bangkok at the National Theater with the participation of different dance schools. The Moscow Kremlin is planning to host its first-ever exhibition here, which will showcase Thailand-related treasures from the world-famous museum. Russian artists are indispensable participants in the annual Bangkok Music and Dance Festival.
Thailand has been a reliable partner of Russia for decades. Our country maintains constructive and mutually beneficial relations – always without any conditions. There are no political differences on our agenda that could hinder the development of our cooperation. These strong ties are based on respect for each other on matters of culture, traditions, history and development goals, as well as a non-discriminatory approach to the values of each people.
There are many promising areas for the further development of our cooperation. Among them are high-tech, bio- and aerospace technologies, shipbuilding, environmental protection, the production of building materials, aviation. We see the potential to promote medical equipment and agricultural products (cereals, fish, beef and dairy products) in Thailand. We are exploring new opportunities to import more Thai products and expand Russian investment in Thailand, especially in the IT sector. Despite the enormous economic constraints imposed on Russia by Western countries, we express our readiness to ensure that the supply of fertilizers to our Thai partners is uninterrupted. Russian-made vaccines Sputnik V and Sputnik Light are included in the list of vaccines approved by Thailand, which makes it easier for vaccinated Russian citizens to come here.
Russia and Thailand are developing balanced and dynamic cooperation within the framework of global forums and regional multilateral frameworks. High-level representatives of politics and business of Thailand regularly participate in international forums held in Russia, in particular, in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum.
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We support Thailand’s presidency of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2022 with its focus on promoting a vibrant, future-oriented circular green economy model. Russia is closely involved with the APEC agenda in Thailand and shares its goals of accelerating recovery from Covid-19, ensuring safe passage, accelerating digitization, ensuring food security and protecting supply chains in order to maintain connectivity and take regional cooperation to a new level.
Within the framework of the ASEAN-led mechanisms, the objectives of Russian-Thai cooperation centered on overcoming the global challenges of the epidemic, developing cooperation in the field of health and resuming transport links. In connection with the declaration of 2022 as the year of scientific and technological cooperation between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, our countries have shown increased mutual interest in various fields, including, but not limited to, vaccine production and research in the field of cleaning. energy. As envisaged in the comprehensive plan of action 2021-2025 between Russia and ASEAN, strategic aspects such as joint response to emerging challenges, building a sustainable future and strengthening the regional multipolar architecture are also on the agenda.
The Russian government continues to provide talented Thai students with the opportunity to study in Russia by awarding 50 scholarships annually. This fall we are launching a new selection campaign for students wishing to start their studies in Russia in 2023. Last year, Russia and Thailand held the first University Rectors’ Forum, which contributed to strengthening mutual cooperation in the field of higher education. In the fall of 2021, our countries participated in the Third Round Table on the Education of the Gifted and Gifted, chaired by Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
With the gradual easing of pandemic-related restrictions in both Russia and Thailand, bilateral tourism is also showing signs of re-emerging. In the first three months of this year, more than 50,000 Russian citizens visited Thailand, which already exceeds the total number of Russian tourists who visited here all last year. With the high season approaching, many Russians can come to Thailand for holidays.
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To keep pace with the increasing number of Russians visiting Thailand, on February 18 we held the inauguration ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Russia in Chiang Mai, which will serve Russian citizens living in the three northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. In addition to the embassy in Bangkok and the consulate general in Phuket, there are now three honorary consulates of Russia in Pattaya, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.
I am sure that the Russian-Thai friendship will get stronger this year. I wish our two countries prosperity and happiness. Let’s celebrate our birthday together.
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