A special visit with the New Portuguese Ambassador to Thailand—H.E. Mr.Francisco Vaz Patto
[Introduction]
Open a map of Europe and you will see a small country in the lower left hand corner. This is Portugal, a continental Europe’s most western nation, close to Africa and facing the vast Atlantic Ocean. Throughout history, this ocean bid the Portuguese to set sail and discover many fascinating places around the world. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal reached its peak as a leader in European shipbuilding technology. Portugal played a leading role in the world’s ocean supremacy. Her sailors travelled and visited places unknown to Europeans on every continent including Asia. Over 500 years ago in 1511, Portuguese ships reached a land called Siam. Thus began an unbroken chain of friendship that continues to this very day.
Part 1—[Friendly Ties]
At first, the main goal of the Portuguese was trade. After arriving in Ayuttaya, Siam’s capital city, they set up a trading post and did business with the local people establishing trade between Siam and Portugal. A few years later, in 1517, The Treaty of Alliance and Trade were signed. A Portuguese consulate was opened in Ayuttaya. Portuguese soldiers were sent to protect Portuguese interests and these soldiers were soon asked to help protect the royal family and palace in Ayuttaya. As time passed, people continued to come to Siam (later called Thailand) from Portugal, some Portuguese married into local families and by the 18th century the Portuguese community in Ayuttaya was numbered at about 3,000 people.
Part 2—THE RECORD IN HISTORY
The trade between Portugal and Thailand included spices, coffee, fiber, machines, guns, and other Western style articles. From Thailand they bought back many raw materials, rice, and other agricultural products. Trade prospered and thrived along Chao Phraya River and helped build up Thai prosperity. In the late 18th century, history tells us about the removal of the capital of Thailand from Ayuttaya to Thonburi, then again to Bangkok. The Portuguese communities also moved at this time, The location of the Portuguese Embassy and Residence in Bangkok, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, was due to the allocation of land from His Royal Majesty, Rama II. Today, almost 200 years later, the Embassy and Residence still operate in the same location. A beautiful banyan tree still spreads its branches in the garden and the glorious Chao Phraya River flows ever constant in front of the beautiful Portuguese Residence.
Part 3—THE GLORY IN MONUMENT
The Portuguese brought much of their culture with them to Thailand. An important part of this was their religion. They built Roman Catholic churches in Thailand. In Bangkok today we can still see these churches, especially Holy Rosary (originally named Calvary and called “Kalawar” in Thai) and Santa Cruz which proudly stand on the banks of the Chao Phraya. And the oldest Catholic Church in Bangkok, named Conception. In the past, the churches used to serve as a window to help people better know Portugal. Sometimes, the churches were also viewed as shelters or places of protection.
Part 4—CULTURAL INFLUENCES
We can see many influences today in modern Thai that have Portuguese origins. Some examples are alike: KANOM FARANG, THONGYIB/THONGYOD/FOITHONG desserts derived from Portuguese. Some Thai words and names such as Sala/Saboo/kanompang (Sala, Sabao, Pao) in spelling similar to Portuguese sounds and meanings and show the influence of Portuguese culture and language on Thailand over the centuries.
Part 5—ENTERING A NEW ERA
In the 20th and 21st centuries, there have been new movements to help foster trade between Portugal and Thailand. Joint ventures have recently made many new investments in both countries. Portuguese exports to Thailand currently include: wine, cork, textiles, and auto accessories. Thai exports to Portugal currently include: auto accessories, rice, rubber and agricultural products.
Part 6—OFFICIAL EXCHANGES
1—The study of the Portuguese language is alive and well in Thailand! Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok offers bachelor level courses for over 30 years. At Thamasat and Kasetsart Universities, Portuguese professors have been also teaching the Portuguese language.
2–Academic exchanges have thrived between universities in Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto and many Thai universities. Joint programs, student and professor visits and courses in many departments are offered, including: engineering, English, technology and education.
3–In 2011 to mark the 500th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between Thailand and Portugal, the Royal Thai Princess Srihdorn paid a visit to Portugal where she was received warmly. The Portuguese embassy works hard to promote cultural exchanges between the two counties. They have presented a Portuguese Film Festival that helps introduce elements of modern Portuguese life to Thais. In October 2016 a famous Portuguese pianist will perform in Thailand.
Part 7—FOLK EXCHANGES
At present, there are around 240 trading Portuguese companies managing the trade between the two countries.
Each year approximately 38,000 Portuguese tourists visit Thailand; and about 27,000 Thais visit Portugal.
In Rachaburi province, the local football club has hired some Portuguese football players for their team.
[BRIEF]
He graduated from the University of Lisbon, with a master’s degree in European law. He worked as a diplomat at the Portuguese Embassies in Angola, Belgium, Germany and at the Mission of Portugal to the United Nations in New York. He began his appointment as the Portuguese ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand in October, 2015.
[WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO EMABSSY AND THE AMBASSADOR OF PORTUGAL TO THAILAND ACCEPTING US IN THE SOLE INTERVIEWING]
Photo by Kingphet / Written by Darwin