COMMEMORATION OF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC TIES BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND THAILAND

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand, the Philippine Embassy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Filipino community, will be organizing a weeklong array of cultural activities from 3-10 July 2009.

The opening ceremony will be on July 3, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) and invitees include H.E. Kasit Piromya, Thai Foreign Minister, officials of the Thai government, representatives from the Diplomatic Corps and international organizations, and the Filipino community.

 The opening ceremony will highlight the following activities: 

1. Formal launching of a commemorative coffee table book published by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
2. Philippine folk dances exhibition by the Association of Cordillerans in Thailand (ACT);
3. Musical performance by The Minstrels of Hope;
4. Thai cultural performance;
5. Exhibit of paintings by renowned Filipino painter, Mr. Manuel Baldemor;
6. Photo exhibit by the Photo Enthusiasts Club (PHOTEC) featuring Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the further development of Philippines-Thailand social, cultural, and economic ties; and
7. Display of Philippine-made items, food and handicrafts.

The display of Philippine food, handicrafts, including the painting and photo exhibits, will run for one week at the BACC from 3 -10 July 2009.

On 5 July 2009, there will be a 7-9 pm gala dinner featuring the musical presentations of the Minstrels of Hope and the cultural performances of the ACT at the Chatrium Hotel (still to be finalized).

As backgrounder, the Philippines and Thailand established diplomatic ties on 14 June 1949, and has since then sustained this warm relationship through economic, cultural and bilateral exchanges.