On the occasion of the birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand and Thailand’s Father’s Day, Việt Nam News presents an article by the Royal Thai Embassy in Hà Nội.

December 5th is the day with triple significance for Thai people throughout the Kingdom and around the world. It is a special day when Thai people commemorate the birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. On this day, Thais show respect and reverence to our beloved the late King’s lifelong works that had been for the benefits of the people, particularly uplifting the living condition for those in remote, rural and mountainous areas.

A donation from the Thai Government to support disaster relief efforts in CentralViệt Nam (photo taken at Việt Nam Fatherland Front on November 5, 2020). Photo courtesy of the embassy

This date is the Father’s Day of Thailand. His Majesty the late King is considered the father of the nation devoting his lifelong and tireless efforts for the betterment of the Thai people, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.

In 2006, His Majesty the late King was awarded the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award in tribute to His Majesty the late King's devotion to improve the quality of life and welfare of his people, and for the national development. More than 4,000 sustainable development projects initiated by His Majesty the late King have carried on while some are further expanded from their  initial vision by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralonkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua.

Furthermore, December 5th is also the World Soil Day (WSD) to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil, and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources and as recognition to His Majesty the late King as one of the main proponents of sustainable soil management. Consequently, in 2018, the 6th Global Soil Partnership (GSP) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) endorsed the establishment of the annual “King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award (WSDA)” in recognition of the His Majesty the late King’s lifetime work on soil utilisation and  research. The Award will be granted to individuals and/or institutions that have made significant efforts and contribution by organising successful World Soil Day activities.

Today is also Thailand’s National Day when Thais around the world celebrate this auspicious occasion. Furthermore, the month of December also marks an important milestone of our history. On December 18-21, 1959, His Majesty the late King, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, began their first royal state visit abroad to Việt Nam. He was warmly welcomed by the Vietnamese people. Few may know that the Gia Long Palace, named after Emperor Gia Long and now known as the Hồ Chí Minh City Museum, was arranged as royal accommodation. Since then, the relations between the two countries have been fostered and now upgraded to strengthened strategic partnership.

This year, we all face unprecedented challenges to our lives and livelihoods posed by the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Difficult times reveal true friends. Despite restricted travel between Thailand and Việt Nam, our friendship has never been put on hold. Our leaders and ministers remain in close contact to discuss co-operation between the two countries, ranging from potential post-COVID-19 economic recovery cooperation to contribution to regional and global peace, security and development, including through ASEAN.

Within the Strengthened Strategic Partnership continues to prosper in all areas of mutual benefit. Thais and Vietnamese join hand in the fight against COVID-19. Our efforts aim at attenuating the impact of the pandemic. The Royal Thai Government, the Royal Thai Embassy in Hà Nội and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hồ Chí Minh City, together with Thai private sector and Thai community in Việt Nam, had made contribution in kind and in cash, coupled with medical equipment and other necessities, to support pandemic control and prevention efforts in Việt Nam.

The Virtual 3rd Princess MahaChakri Award Forum (PMCA )with 10 ASEANcountries & Timor-Leste (photo taken at the Royal Thai Embassy on October 22, 2020, Miss MorakotJanemathukorn, Chargé d’Affaires a.i, Mr Lê Thanh Liêm, PMCA awardee, and other participants). Photo courtesy of the embassy

2020 is undeniably a difficult and challenging year. One typhoon after another. Storms, flood and landslide in several areas caused tragic loss of lives of civilians and courageous military personnel involved in the relief mission in central region of Việt Nam. Thais stands beside the Vietnamese people during this tough time. Our Government, along with the Thai community in Việt Nam, are pleased to be part of efforts to help our friends regain their livelihoods as quickly as possible through the disaster relief donation.

We believe that re-building sustainable and strong communities with local ownership is key to long term development. Thailand adopts His Majesty teh late King’s sufficiency economy philosophy (SEP) as a guideline for its national socio-economic development. Many SEP projects have been practised across Thailand and around the world. Two projects are implemented in Việt Nam. One is on tea production and agro-forestry to uplift economic aspect and better life for the people of Yên Lạc Commune, Thái Nguyên Province. Another is the construction of artificial reef in Cà Mau Province to help restore depleted marine resources on the coastal areas. We will continue to work with our Vietnamese friend to help build strong and resilient communities, including those affected by crisis. Building a strong community has to go hand in hand with human capital development.

Mr Lê Thanh Liêm, a physics and technology teacher at Him Lam Boarding School for Ethnic Minority Students in Châu Thành A District, Hâu Giang Province, and the 2019 Princess Maha Chakri Award Recipient, is an example of close cooperation between Thailand and ASEAN Member States to provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and youth in remote areas by means of education. These are the empirical testimonies of our strong friendship.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Yet Việt Nam proves she can stay strong and thrive during the times of turbulence.

Việt Nam is one of the most successful countries in the world that has effectively contained COVID-19 with low fatality rate. The strong leadership of the Vietnamese Government and the discipline of its people are keys to successful crisis management.

Thailand commends Việt Nam's ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 theme, "Cohesive and Responsive", is therefore timely. As ASEAN Chair, Việt Nam, together with ASEAN and dialogue partners, have concluded numerous concrete deliverables, such as the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies (RRMS) for Public Health Emergencies, the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan, the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), and the signing of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, the world’s largest trade pact, which will prepare ASEAN to revive faster and in a sustainable manner.     

2021 marks the 45th Anniversary of Thailand-Việt Nam Diplomatic Relations, another important milestone of our cordial friendship. However, long before our two countries established diplomatic relations, friendship between Thailand and Việt Nam was rooted for hundreds of years ago, spanning many generations. The historical evidence shows that both Thai and Vietnamese have long been interconnected. Today, Thai and Vietnamese peoples have settled roots in many parts of both countries. The flourishing Thai-Vietnamese communities with remarkable economic and educational achievements in each of our countries are a strong foundation for brotherhood between Thailand and Việt Nam.

Looking forward, we are certain that with the upcoming diplomatic anniversary, Thailand and Việt Nam multifaceted friendship will be further deepened for shared prosperity. VNS

The Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi and Thai Private Sector in Viet Nam organised ablood donation on July 24 on the birthday of  H.M. KingMaha Vajilongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua to show the spirit of volunteerism in helping people during the COVID-19pandemic (photo taken at the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi on July 24, 2020). Photo courtesy of the embassy