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THE ANCIENT FRIENDSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN FRANCE AND THAILAND

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With an interviewing with His Excellency of the Ambassador of France to Thailand—Mr.Gilles Garachon

[BRIEF]

France—in full name[ French Republic], Located in western part of European continent, with its three faces to the sea and its shape in hexagonal size, it possessed with many world famous cultural heritages such as Le Louvre Museum and Notre Dame de Paris sound all over the world, the Champs Elysees known as the most beautiful street in the world with Its transportation so accessible and convenient, flowing through Europe the beautiful Seine River is overviewed as far as the magnificent landmark–Triumphal Arch of Paris, the snow capped Alps and so on, arraying like the beautiful picturesque of nature and humanity in the eyes of the world people. Moreover, French fashion has highly been enjoyed a good reputation in fashion world due to French romance, frankness and simplicity; they keep on pursuit of freedom and perfection in unique character and personality, led by its outmost styles in trend of Fashion for centuries, France is appreciated highly by tastes of champagne, fragrance of perfume, the ancient Museums and art gallery in restoring the world history.

Today, the editor in chief of [Thailand Impression Media]paid an official visit to interview with French Ambassador to Thailand—Mr.Gilles Garachon, who is presented with the friendly smiles and scholarly manner, while making at first conversation, the guest was deeply impressed by the pleasant ambassador who welcomed to seat on and striking up the interviewing for half an hour in the gentle atmosphere.


 

Part 1—First: setting up for the century friendship

Due to the background of the diplomatic relations between France and Thailand had been marked with a long history, traced back to the last two century, in 2017 it was the 161st anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between France and Thailand. Per year there are large celebrations held in the large plaza in Bangkok. The governments of France and Thailand had made great efforts in promoting the cooperation in fields of economic, cultural, educational and others, IRASEC is one of French scientific research institutions, which aims to study the dynamic trends of economic and cultural development in Southeast Asian countries by rendering helpful suggestions to the local countries. Today, the French Embassy in Thailand plays a role in witnessing the friendship molding between the two countries, the French Embassy runs on an open day on September 23rd as a publicity day for people of Thailand, at spot where presenting a close ties with Thai locals in linkage with art, gourmet, films and fashion as far as others, while also catering for cultural enjoyment and entertainment, the famous chefs from France flew to Thailand by making performances in French Cuisines Shows on lawn of the Embassy of French Embassy.

According to statistics, there are roughly eight hundred thousand Frenchmen arriving in Thailand for tourism, and from Thailand there are one hundred and fifty thousand of Thai citizens traveling to France as exchange.

Part Two—On Broad Ties and Cooperation

The trading volume between France and Thailand is broad, with exceeding over 5 billion Euros. The products of France entering Thailand include cosmetics, car accessories, dairy products, organic chemistry, pharmaceutical products, construction industry, Airbus, retail stores and so on. France imports from Thailand such as computers, jewelry, medical appliances and so on, in future, Thai airlines will import more aviation made in France, with increasingly trading between two countries, there are more than three hundred French companies registered in Thailand. As one of famous French enterprise—Michelin, hand in hand cooperation with TAT, run on annually The Best Asian food Selection & Contest, by winning out the excellent restaurants and chef, with more addition, French Total Oil Company is well known; Laurel cosmetics Company is branded with its sound in the world’s beauty industry.

The French Agency for external development is an official body under the French government, and its role assists with Southeast Asian countries in aspects of economic, cultural and agricultural development.

Part Third—Alliance Francaise[AF]

French has always been viewed as bright culture of the France. Because of its strict usage, French language is widely used internationally, and United Nations has set French as one of the designated languages for the official institutions worldwide. Also, it is used in a wide range of international and diplomatic occasions, with its status is only in English. It is not only the official language of France, but also it is seen as the official language in the more than 40 countries and regions of five continents. At present, the Francophone & Alliance step outward all over the world by promoting French cultures, so that more and more world people can understand French and learn French, The French Alliance is a threshold going for French culture inside and viewed as a window of France.

Every year, the French Embassy in Thailand works with the Ministry of Education of Thailand in fields of academic exchanges and education projects, and more the undergraduates from Thai colleges and universities to be selected out to study into French academy, with aids of French funding and scholarship from French Government.

Nowadays, Thai Institutions like Tamasat U niversity, Chulalongkorn University and Others have established academic relations and exchanges with French universities, in Bangkok French schools open to the foreigners and Thais in Thailand by providing French courses for the children of French Expats and the locals.

Several French festival and activities are held by the French embassy in Thailand annually, in every three months the events are involved on themes of French film, fashion, food, Art and Exhibitions, which are designed by Alliance Francasie[AF],which focuses on promoting at abroad the French language at oversea by strengthening international cultural exchanges and continental interaction among the countries, France works equally with Thailand in making bilateral ties in many areas such as art, culture, architecture, technology, education, culinary, etc., the cities on both sides whatever NGO or the governmental organizations become linkage of friendship in bridging up the contacts between two countries.

[BRIEF TO AMBASSADOR]

He is an expert in mastery of Hindu and Burmese languages with degree of doctor in study of Oriental language and history; he used to be a former French ambassador to the Philippines in 1994, he served as minister to France’s ambassador to Thailand.

[With Special thanks to French embassy and ambassador in Thailand for providing the above mentioned information].

THE ASIAN PARTNERS IN GOOD FRIENDSHIP

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VISITING THE AMBASSADOR OF MONGOLIA TO THAILAND—H.E.MR.TUGSBILGUUN TUMURKHULEG

PART 1: ON DIPLOMATIC TIES AND VISITS

Mongolia and the Kingdom of Thailand have been enjoying friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974. Next year, the celebration of 45th anniversary will be made on establishment of the diplomatic relations between them ,the bilateral relations have been markedly reinvigorated since the early 1990s, when Mongolia started its transition from one-party socialist state and centrally-planned economy to multi-party democracy and free market economy. Thailand was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to support the democratic reforms by providing technical assistance in human resources development of Mongolia.

There had been so many high-level official visits,with specifically highlighted on importance of the official visits ,which were made by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Mongolia in 1992 and 2009 separately, and the President and Prime Minister of Mongolia to Thailand paid respectively in 1994 and 2005. Thanks to the visits by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Thailand has become very well known to Mongolians.Based on Bilateral agreement signed on the counterparts,business areas and private sectors.

In July 2016, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand attended the 11th ASEM Summit in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. During his stay in Mongolia, he met with Mongolian President Elbegdorj,the official visits had greatly been contributing to further development of the bilateral ties and deepened the mutual understanding between two sides.

 

PART 2: ON BILATERIAL TRADINGS

 

The annual trading volumes between Mongolia and Thailand go around 35 million USD and as of 2017, around 1 billion USD of investments made in Mongolia from Thailand.the items on investment: Mining and Health，Mongolian imports from Thailand include sugar, paper, electronics, heavy machinery equipment, while Mongolian exporting commodities to Thailand mainly consist of raw materials such as molybdenum ore, scarp aluminum and tanned equine and bovine hides. In 2017, Thailand’s export to Mongolia was 33.8 million USD and it represented more than 95 percent of total trade volume between two countries.

 

PART 3: ON TOURISM

 

There have been no requiremnet for visa within one month,Thais and Mongolians can stay at length of 30 days in both nations.Recently,Thailand is one of the attractive destination for Mongolian who wish to make leisure and seek for medical cares,Mongolian National Flag carrier MIAT-Mongolian Airlines operated direct flights between Ulaanbaatar and Bangkok from November 2017 to March 2018. It prove that the test flight trip made a successful operation,there have been in need of great demands from passengers between two countries.

In 2016,there were around 9,000 Mongolians visiting to Thailand and only 500 Thais going to see Mongolia. However, with start of the direct flight operation, the increaing numbers of Mongolians visiting to Thailand go up to 20,000. In addition, the winter in Mongolia is very cold and it is not a tourist season, but there were around 5,400 Thais who had visited Mongolia from November to March,further,MIAT Mongolian Airlines will be launching up a direct flight throughout the year from October 2018.

 

Although there have been so far away betwen Mongolia and Thailand so geographically,but with some of similarities like religion. The both are Buddhist ones in aspects of tradition and culture.Thais would creat feeling of love to visit Mongolia and experience the hospitality, nomadic lifestyle and pristine natural beauty.

 

As the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan, Mongolia offers the unique natural landscapes, many historical and cultural relics with mystery. Mongolian,still remains its natural tresures and viewed as one of the last nations as destination filled with great adventures in Asia.

Nowsaday,Mongolian Government introduced a series of inspiring measures to improve infrastructure by promoting tourism and has set up the short and medium-term objectives, which will be boosting international arrivals to 2 million by 2020,with high growth potential trends of tourism,which is boosting investments in hotels, tour camps, eco-tourism and foreign tour operators in high demand,over past decade, Mongolia has earned a reputation as a key destination for outdoor and adventure sports related items and other activities, alike trekking, climbing, fishing, hunting, and bird-watching,mainly based on exotic, untouched, wonderful nature and traditional nomadic customs.

 

PART 4:ON CULTURAL EVENTS

 

Particularly, the events made by promoting Morin Khuur–the Mongolian traditional musical instrument, registered by UNESCO as one of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity,In 2016, the initiation of “The project on introduction of Morin Khuur” to Thais in public”, with performances on Khaan Khuur quartet and Naiman Sharga Morin Khuur Orchestra concerts at Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre and Rangsit University.in 2017.

 

Last year, the Governor of Ulaanbaatar paid an official visit to Bangkok,with both Agreement signed on Establishment of Sister City Relationship between Ulaanbaatar and Bangkok,the Governors on both sides had pledged to make further development and  cooperation in areas of tourism, healthcare, education,sports and others,This year,based on the Agreement, the two cities will be organizing the cultural exchanges on Mongolian Events in Bangkok and Thai Ones in Ulaanbaatar.

[WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO THE EMBASSY AND THE AMBASSADOR OF MONGOLIA TO THAILAND]

 

REPORTED BY DARWIN

 

 

STRENGTHEN THE TIES OF CENTURIES WITH THAILAND

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Interviewing with H.E.ambassador of Hungary to Thailand—Mr.Peter Jakab

[PREFACE]

Hungary had established an official diplomatic relations with Thailand in 1973, but in history behind, there was a signal witnessed by signing of the Treaty of Amity, Trade and Navigation between the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and Kingdom of Siam in 1872. Due to the deep friendship between two countries, The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy had opened a legation in Bangkok in 1913，the first Hungarian first ambassador, also the first envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, named as Rudolf (Rezső) Wodianer von Maglód, who came from a small town near Budapest, he had presented his credential to His Majesty KingVajiravudh during reign of Rama VI in 1913. At that time, it was named a diplomatic mission as legation and not an embassy, and housed in what is now called the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. This is commemorated by a plaque in the hotel, unveiled by the Hungarian minister for foreign affairs when he visited here to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the legation.

 

Part 1—Culture and History

HUNGARY, owned with lots of very popular tourist destination, by attracting millions of international people every year. There are so many natural attractions. It is home to the largest thermal water cave system and the second largest thermal lake in the world, for bathing in Lake Hévíz is very healthy and enjoyable, it also has the largest freshwater lakes in Central Europe, the water in Lake Balaton is very calm and safe for parents with children, it also encompasses the largest natural grasslands in Hortobágy National Park with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe,among them the Puszta [with its meaning in Hungarian “prairie”] of the Great Plains for the traditional home of Hungarian cowboys ,actually with name for the well-known Hungarian soup goulash called cowboy. In the old days the cowboys rode horses, herded cows and cooked their goulash on the prairie. These days the cowboys remain so mostly there living with their traditional lifestyles, as the sightseeing for the tourists, The Puszta has changed lots, of course, but any visitors can still go there by experiencing the traditional culture in Hungary，which  offers so interesting places to visit, from the low prairies to the higher mountains and into the magnificent caves. Budapest is considered as one of the world’s most beautiful capitals, there is a river Danube going through the town amidst the city and the castles, which are named as World Heritage Site. Hungary promotes its spas for tourist items, like the famous thermal Lake Hévíz. The tourists not only visit the capital but also go to the countryside filled with the thermal lakes and spas.

 

Part 2—The Great Cultures

There are many spas in Budapest as well and other places throughout Hungary, there have been available there at early centuries of the ancient Roman Times.

Architecturally Hungary is a treasure trove, with lots of historic marks from Roman ruins and medieval castles as well as baroque churches, neoclassical public buildings and Art Nouveau bathhouses.

Hungarian goulash is world famous Hungarian cuisine，it has still preserved the most sophisticated styles of cooking in Europe. Besides the wines are also world-renowned from the big-bodied reds of Villány to the honey-gold dessert wine Tokaj [famously dubbed by Louis XIV as ‘Vinum Regnum – Rex Vinorum’ ̶ the wine of kings, the king of wines].

 

Part 3—The Great People

Hungarians are proud of their creativity and inventions, which include the dynamo, matches, ballpoint pen and holography. There are many more, among them the famous Rubik’s Cube invented by Ernő Rubik, an architect in Budapest. The country has 12 Nobel Prize laureates, one of the highest numbers per capita in the world. The first university in Hungary, the University of Pécs, was founded in 1367 by King Louis the Great, Hungary has historically excelled in sports and has the third-highest number of Olympic medals per capita and second-highest number of gold medals per capita in the world, in the past, Hungary used to be ranking at 8th out of 211 participating nations, with a total of 476 medals.

 

Part 4—The Prides of Hungary

Hungary join in NATO in 1999 and EU in 2004 and considered itself as an integral part of Europe and the Western world, Hungarian people have the images of being romantic in the aspects of culture, dances and traditional folk music as well as classical music, there had been some of world known prominent composers such as Ferenc Liszt, Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók,also Hungary is also famous for its folk art, including temperamental dances and colorful embroidery.

 

Part 5—The Education Exchanges Program on Sign

In October 2017, H.E. Mr.Jacob ambassador to Thailand on behalf of the Hungarian government signed with the Ministry of education of Thailand on memorandum of the educational exchanges Program, with aids of Hungarian government to provide a full scholarship per year to those 50 students selected from Thai Colleges and Universities entering to the various universities of Hungary within periods of 8 years on academic training, this project will not only enhance the enthusiasm of Thai students to study abroad, but also cultivate Thai talents in potential for future development in Thailand, furthermore The new ties had been made between nations to strengthen the mutual friendship since then.

 

【BACKGROUND TO AMBASSADOR】

Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary – PhD, Intercultural communication, 2006

Budapest University of Economic Sciences, Budapest, Hungary – MA in International Relations, 1998

 

Position

November 2014 – Present

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to the Kingdom of Thailand

 

July 2013 – September 2014

Director General, Asia-Pacific Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

International Elections Supervisor, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo

Other

Assistant Professor – Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary

 

Written by Darwin

MY MEMORY TO CHINA

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—-Interviewing with Mr.Kon Dabranci [the former vice–premier of Thailand & the chairman of Sino-Thailand friendship association]

[PREFACE]

It had been rare to the people that Mr.Korng Dabbarasi has the prestigious family background. He is the grandson of That Dutch Nanathon ,his father used to be the chief of Taxation-Bureau of the Royal Thailand 。.

Mr. Korn was born from the political family, as he was a child, he had been interested in politics and got used to feel the responsible and commissionaire to carry out his own task, from his twenties, he had started to act as a secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs, then promoted to be vice- Minister of the foreign Affair Department, the minister and Vice-Premier of Thailand.

With the 37th anniversary of Thai-Sino Diplomatic relation establishment with Mr Korn-President of TCFA (his acting period since 2002 ), at that time ,he was the youngest diplomat of Thai Government delegate ,as a witness and promoter for this big event ,he often recalled us to that situation where the Joint-Declaration of Diplomatic relation establishment between Thailand and China were signed on July 1,1975, Beijing ,by Thai Minister of Foreign Officer- Mr. Chatichai Choonhavan and Premier Prince Keil Bamo , he mentioned that it was the final proposal by Mr. Zhou-En Lai—for set up of Thai-Sino Diplomatic Relation.

At the residence ,surrounded by the greens, the white villas gave us the environment to make a nice chat with Mr. Korn, before him ,he was not so as solemn as the politician appear, instead hr was so gentle like a brother, the TCFA was the last will to him from his uncle, they have made great contribution in normalizing the diplomatic relation between both Nations, Mr. Dabaransi said that he was Thai with Chinese origin, for his grandmother was from Chinese Hainan Island, he has still remembered that his uncle went back to China with his grand -mother in search of their ancestors’ roots.

He has profound feeling about these relationship with China, for China,the open-door policy has been carried out for  over 30 years, it is credibly and undoubtly successful to set up a good example to all nations, whoever is, he added that he or she should learn these years from China, where the strategies have made China high-rapidly developing than ever for two decades, enabling 1.3 billion Chinese sufficient supporting their own living and life, these polices really works on China, the competitions around the world become so strong and sharp so that China has been leading one.
Speaking on his own life style and belief,the broad minded ness is one of his main character, due to much experience he has had gone through, he explained that being an official position was short of time and temporary, but only the friendship enable to last for long and eternal, he has lots of friends as he like, he revealed us a story that as being Vice-Premier in 2000, he was invited by Chinese government to watch the Chinese National -Day Celebration Assembly Show, on the stage of TIAN-AN-MEN, he had witnessed Chinese Premier Zhu Rong Ji at that time.

When the global economic crisis has been outspreading in Thailand, he obviously remarked that it is also the right time to make investment at this bottom of period, because of low cost, favorable Policies, the lowest prices available for sale by many hotels, factories, apartments and labors, as the economic is recovering, there can be many chances upcoming, nowadays Chinese government has encouraged many business people from public and private sectors to go abroad , for Thailand , is a good place to choose due to the geographical location so nearly, the cultural contacts, ancestry-linkage and good cooperativeness between two nation, with the sign of Zero-Taxation to set-up, there will be much opportunities for the Chinese enterprisers to make dreams come true.

—PART 1—[TO BE CONTINUED]

 

Reported by Darwin

HERE IS THE MESSAGE FROM H.E.AMBASSADOR OF IRELAND

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Brendan Rogers

With very best wishes and congratulation on a very successful visit to Ireland and a wonderful introduction of your magazine on Ireland.

GO NEIRI AN BOTHAR LEAT—in Irish language

[Wish THAILANDIMPRESSION MEDIA to take a good journey ahead]

 

The ambassador of Ireland to Thailand

                                            Brendan Rogers