ขอเชิญรับชมคลิปคำกล่าวของเอกอัครราชทูตครองขนิษฐ รักษ์เจริญ เอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงลิสบอนเนื่องในโอกาสวันคล้ายวันพระบรมราชสมภพ พระบาทสมเด็จพระบรมชนกาธิเบศร มหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดชมหาราช บรมนาถบพิตร วันชาติไทย และวันพ่อแห่งชาติ วันที่ 5 ธันวาคม 2564

Remarks by

H.E. Mrs. Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Portugal

on the occasion of Thailand National Day, 5 December 2021

Sawasdee kha

Friends of Thailand,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the virtual celebration of Thailand’s National Day on 5^th December 2021.

Unfortunately due to the continued unpredictable situation of COVID-19,
we decided to continue this year’s celebration online for another year.  

Ladies and Gentlemen,

December 5^th has always been a very special day of Thailand as it is the day we celebrate three important occasions which are Thailand’s National Day, the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, and Thai Father’s Day. Despite the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great in 2016, his Majesty’s birthday anniversary remains our National Day in recognition of his long-lasting legacy and dedication to the nation. This 5 of December is also designated by the United Nations as “World Soil Day” to acknowledge His Majesty the late king’s initiative to raise awareness of the importance of sustaining healthy soil, thus ensuring agricultural productivity, food security, and ultimately sustainable development. On this note, I would like to emphasize that Thailand continues tirelessly our path on sustainable development and this is emphasized by the ranking of Sustainable Development Goals Index 2021 that placed Thailand the first in Southeast Asia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Throughout the year 2021, COVID-19 continues to cause negative impact and many unforeseeable situations around the world and Thailand is no exception, despite being praised as a successful model of confining COVID-19 on the outset of the pandemic. However, I am delighted to say that the situation is now under control and starting from 1^st November, Thailand is gradually re-opening its borders without quarantine for over 60 countries and territories and Portugal is in the list.

In the meantime, bearing in mind that many of our Portuguese friends still could not travel to Thailand, this year the Royal Thai Embassy has launched a programme under the name “Sawasdee Portugal” meaning “Ola Portugal” with a purpose to bring Thailand closer to our Portuguese friends during the time of COVID-19. I am glad that “Sawasdee Portugal” was warmly welcomed by more than hundred thousand of online internet users clicking in to learn more about Thai culture in Portugal. For those who would like to learn meditation, there is a Buddhist temple in Ericeira waiting for you. Anyone who wants a new form of exercise could try “Muay Thai” or Thai boxing at many schools and gyms with Muay Thai expert trainers all over Portugal or try Thai food and Thai traditional massage at a place nearby. Details of all the places are listed in the website www.sawasdeeportugal.com. 

2021 is considered a tough and challenging year for all of us. However, although there is less contact between people from Thailand and Portugal through tourism due to the COVID restrictions, our Thai citizens residing in Portugal continue to thrive and contribute to the Portuguese economy especially in agricultural sector. I am grateful to all Portuguese authorities and local community for their kind support to the Thai community, embracing them and making them feel like home here in Portugal.           

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Portugal was the first European nation who made contact with Thailand during Ayutthaya period in 1511. Our bilateral relations are deep-rooted and testified by more than 500 years of friendship. Portuguese culture influenced many parts of Thai cuisine, architecture and language so on so forth. Till these days, we continue to cherish the relations and have been working closely together to inject new momentum into our solid foundation.

I am very delighted to learn that on the economic front, there is a positive sign of economic recovery between Thailand and Portugal as the bilateral trade volume from January to September 2021 increases to 264 million USD or a growth of around 50 percent compared to the same period of last year. We hope that our bilateral trade will return to the past glory, or at least at the level of 2019 where the bilateral trade valued more than 300 million USD. The Royal Thai Embassy together with the Board of Investment of Thailand and Portugal’s AICEP have been working closely to encourage more investment from Thailand to Portugal and vice versa.

I also hope that there will be a brighter future for tourism in the year to come. And with Thailand re-opening its borders, and COVID-19 becomes less contagious, I wish that the number of tourists from Portugal will beat the record of 2019 when the number of Portuguese visitors to Thailand reached 52,000 and Thailand continues to be reserved at the first place in terms of the most visited destination in Asia for Portuguese travelers. Please rest assure that the Royal Thai Embassy stands ready to assist all visits to Thailand and promote exchanges between our peoples in all fields.

Ladies and Gentlemen,  

Allow me to conclude my remarks by inviting you to join me in sending best wishes for the happiness and good health of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, and for the good health and success of His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, as well as to the prosperity and long-lasting friendship between the Portuguese Republic and the Kingdom of Thailand.

Thank you. Obrigada