Interviweing with ambassador of Panama to Thailand—Marie del Carmen Martinez
[PREFACE]
The Grand Canal has always been acting as an important hub and busy trading port, Due to its location being different as Sea Throat, it is a connecting with Central America, sketching the map of world, hundreds years ago under Spanish colonial control, On October 28, 1821, Panama officially had freed from Spanish hands and joined in the autonomous region of Greater Colombia. Later It formally seceded from the autonomous region of greater Colombia in 1903 and became an independent nation, from 1904 the United States operated the canal in construction till in 1941 when completed, while Panama had gained the independent sovereignty, in 1999 Panama took back for use and control of Panama Canal, which is constitued as main pillar of Panama’s economy resources ,viewed as the world’s busy ocean transfer between Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, The Canal is most worthy of commercial values in sea, Till now per day seen from many huge freighters moving from it to sail ahead all over the world. U.S. is believed to be the first major canal user and followed by China in the 2nd place.
Today [Thailand-Impression] media has honor to go into the embassy of Panama in Thailand to learn and see more about this unique country located so far way.
PART 1—[HISTORY IN PROFILES]
Panama and the People’s Republic of China had established diplomatic relations on June 12, 2017. Panama and Thailand started diplomatic relation on August 20th, 1982, 37 years ago, when merchant marine consulate was firstly opened up due to serve the fleet of Panamanian-flagged ships sailing in Asia from Bangkok, Later the Embassy was established, During this 37 year of diplomatic relations as it has been subscribed in 3 agreement, separately in 2006, 2008 and finally in 2016.Regarding of diplomatic relations for 37 years, there have been very important in making further developments of bilateral relations and the jointly working agenda onto excellent stages of the ongoing bilateral relation between the Republic of Panama and The Kingdom of Thailand at present.
PART2—[THE DIPLOMATIC TIES]
As the high level authority’s political visits between both countries started in 2016, the Royal Thai Highness Princess Maha chakri Shirindorn paid a visit to Panama in April 2019, where the ambassador had the honor to accompany as a part of the Panamanian delegation during the whole period of her visit. The following reciprocal visits come into lists by one of the Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama to Thailand on October 2018. At the same time a bilateral political framework was built between both countries with the establishment of a scheme of political consultation which first meeting was held in Panama, headed by the deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Two important agreements are concluded under negotiation, one in the area of Tourism Cooperation and the other on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Panamanian Passports. Now ,Panama has had total population of more than 4 million.
PART 3— [TOURSIM & CULTURE]
An agreement of Tourism cooperation has been negotiated, at the same time the tourist visitors have increased for both countries. There are some factors have contributed to this achievement as a result of the promotion of Panama in Thailand and the Thai culture in Panama, which allowed a more comprehensive knowledge of both countries. At the present, Thai Passport holders do not need visa to enter into Panama, the main reason that Thai authorities made an agreement of Visa Exemption for Panamanian ordinary passports, while in reciprocity with Panama.
In aspects of panama, the ambassador described to me that there have more similarities between two countries, which are rendered on the same equatorial lines and possessed with colorful island in scenery, enriched by Marine life and uniquely human resources. Based on Tourist cooperation between two sides is made upon the multual interests.
PART 4—[SPORTS & FASHION]
The another attractive initiative is in fact that have been contributed to unite the cultures of both countries is linkage of Panamanian &-Thai folk group, mixed by students of AFS, who have been living in Panama with the dancing teachers;2-The Embassy of Panama hosted the 1st TMA Mini–Football Diplomatic Cup, who brought together many embassies, around 120 players and international organizations in order to participate in a mini football tournament, promoting Panama as a tourism destination for sport activities. Attending to sports events in which Panamanian athletes participated, such as Muay Thai, Boxing and hosted a night during the FIFA World Cup 2018 participation, in which national media covered the story since it was Panama’s first ever participation. Alike cultural workshops, music performances, sports events, and the participation of Panama in the Thai Silk Fashion Shows for 4 years, having certainly contributed a performance as well to spread Panama‘s cultures and images in the Kingdom of Thailand.
[ON BACKGROUND]
She had gained the academic skills and professional experiences in the world of business, banking and finance, within 15 years working in the Parliament of Panama, engaged in the world of commercial managements both in the public and private sectors which drove her up in better and more pragmatic approaches as the results, during the 4 years of her tenure, she acted as Ambassador and Consul General in the Kingdom of the Smile. She had managed to carry on initiatives where Panama is looking for a better and more quantitative relationship with Thailand in fields of trade, investment, tourism, official and private visitors, bilateral agreements, culture and wider comprehension of the image of Panama in Southeast Asia.
[ON 2 AUGUST, 2019 INSIDE EMBASSY OF PANAMA TO THAILAND]
[WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO H.E.AMBASSADOR AND EMBASSY OFFERING WITH US RELATED FILES]