UK Envoy Announces Major Plans for 170-year Thailand Ties

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: UK in Thailand

 

The United Kingdom's Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, has unveiled an ambitious programme to celebrate 170 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Thailand. This announcement came at a festive gathering labeled the "170th Anniversary Launch Party" on Thursday evening, held in the historic Postal Theatre of Bangkok's Grand Postal Building.

 

The anniversary, marking over a century and a half of diplomatic engagements, promises a rich calendar of events aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. The Embassy plans a dynamic roadshow, taking its celebration to different corners of Thailand, fostering mutual understanding and opportunities, particularly focusing on engagements with students and the local community.

 

A highlight of the celebrations will be the UK Fair, which seeks to spark dialogue among Thai citizens about the robust and mutually beneficial relationship with the UK. The fair will underscore a shared history and shine a spotlight on emerging opportunities for collaboration between the two countries.

 

Ambassador Gooding expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming celebratory events, which include cultural showcases such as music performances.

 

The UK's renowned London Symphony Orchestra and elements of the UK military’s musical talents are set to grace Thailand with their performances, further cementing cultural ties.

Moreover, a series of business events will underscore the economic dimensions of the partnership, addressing shared interests ranging from healthcare innovations to advancements in science and technology.

 

The UK boasts being the first European nation to craft a strategic partnership with Thailand, a relationship built on shared interests and collaboration.

 

Ambassador Gooding reflected on the enduring nature of this partnership, emphasizing the shared global challenges both countries face. "Our strategic partnership looks to the future, and there's much more ground to cover," he noted.

 

Key sectors for growth include healthcare, genomics, and international security, mirroring mutual interests in economic growth and citizen protection.

 

He further highlighted the importance of adapting to the rapidly shifting global landscape, particularly considering 21st-century challenges such as environmental changes. This year-long celebration promises not only to honour past achievements but also to pave the way for stronger future collaborations under this evolving partnership.

 

In sum, the celebrations seem set to not only cement the existing bond between the UK and Thailand but also inspire new avenues for future partnerships.

 

With a slew of cultural, educational, and economic events, the foundation laid 170 years ago is poised for rejuvenation and expansion. The event series also represents an opportunity to engage with the broader Thai community, aiming to bring a slice of the UK to the heart of Thailand, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-18

 

 

[Samphawesi]

First step restore the Embassy and reinstall Queen Vic's statue in the garden

[Will B Good]

 

Are the great unwashed allowed near any of these events?

[Captain Flack]

Several off topic posts and replies, discussing frozen pensions have been removed. Plenty of topic in the UK section already covering the debate on pensions.

[Upnotover]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

A highlight of the celebrations will be the UK Fair

Which will be where and when?

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, Upnotover said:

Which will be where and when?

 

On a need to know basis….don’t want any old hoi polloi turning up and annoying our betters.

[DTL2014]

i'd love to be part of bringing UK cultural talent to thailand - it's what we do anyway.Arriving today are Tip Records and a group of 30 uk fans - they are a uk based record label with highly talented DJ's- 30th Jan 2025 is our gig at Samsara Beach Club , Koh Phangan- Groove Britannia !

[nowhereman]

Will someone explain to the Envoy that since the second world war Thailand is still at war with UK 😉

 

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, nowhereman said:

Will someone explain to the Envoy that since the second world war Thailand is still at war with UK 😉

 

 

OMG….Is that what the subs are for…???

[tjintx]

3 minutes ago, nowhereman said:

Will someone explain to the Envoy that since the second world war Thailand is still at war with UK 😉

 

 

No need, a bridge building exercise will be held as part of the celebration, to be judged by the Japanese ambassador.

[Neeranam]

Thailand has basically used the UK for its own benefit. 

Remember why the Victory Monument was built? Most people haven't a clue. 

It celebrates the 'victory' of the Franco/Thai war(1940/1), of which Hitler supported Thailand and had provided most of the military equipment. At the same time, Pibul Songkram was coercing with Churchill and previously Chamberlain to keep Thailand neutral. A great nationalistic balancing act. 

[Moonlover]

Did you know that if it wasn't for the quick actions one Flying Officer George Innis RAF, King Bhumibol  might not come to the throne? Innis was in command of RAF police in Bangkok and fearing Bhumibol  might be in danger as well, quickly spirited him away after his elder brother was assassinated.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Innes_(RAF_officer)

 

11 minutes ago, nowhereman said:

Will someone explain to the Envoy that since the second world war Thailand is still at war with UK 😉

 

Rubbish. A peace treaty was signed in 1946.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Thai_Peace_Treaty

 

[bkk6060]

Actually sounds like a positive idea.

[SHA 2 BKK]

37 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Did you know that if it wasn't for the quick actions one Flying Officer George Innis RAF, King Bhumibol  might not come to the throne? Innis was in command of RAF police in Bangkok and fearing Bhumibol  might be in danger as well, quickly spirited him away after his elder brother was assassinated.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Innes_(RAF_officer)

 

Rubbish. A peace treaty was signed in 1946.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Thai_Peace_Treaty

 

Fun fact Thailand (or Siam as it was known) is the only country to declare war on Australia!    Therefore at the end of the war Thailand had to sign a different Peace Treaty with Australia. All other Axis Belligerents signed with the UK acting on Australias’ behalf.  
 

Source Google AI.  
 

The Australian–Thai Peace Treaty was signed in Bangkok on April 3, 1946, ending World War II between the two countries. The treaty's full title is "Final Peace Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Siam"

[PETERTHEEATER]

3 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Which will be where and when?

Scarborough, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

The celebration will be '.....in different corners of Thailand' so the forgotten citizens of Nakorn Phanom are in for a shock.😀

[Thingamabob]

5 hours ago, Samphawesi said:

First step restore the Embassy and reinstall Queen Vic's statue in the garden

Well said. 

[Guderian]

At least he's trying, it makes a change from China launching yet another infrastructure investment and promising 10 million more tourists next year. I wonder if the LSO will make it to Pattaya? Nah, don't be daft!

[kingstonkid]

2 hours ago, Guderian said:

At least he's trying, it makes a change from China launching yet another infrastructure investment and promising 10 million more tourists next year. I wonder if the LSO will make it to Pattaya? Nah, don't be daft!

 

Actually, I hope that they will announce it so others can get tickets.  Watch just as all this is scheduled; the Government will fall AGAIN, and all bets will be off.

 

I wonder after the King if Thaksin or his daughter will be the main dignitary

[Greenhill]

7 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

Are the great unwashed allowed near any of these events?

Most unlikely - that's why they're keeping the dates 'secret'!!!

[Greenhill]

7 hours ago, DTL2014 said:

i'd love to be part of bringing UK cultural talent to thailand - it's what we do anyway.Arriving today are Tip Records and a group of 30 uk fans - they are a uk based record label with highly talented DJ's- 30th Jan 2025 is our gig at Samsara Beach Club , Koh Phangan- Groove Britannia !

Hope they've got the relevant work permits?!

[Will B Good]

1 hour ago, Greenhill said:

Most unlikely - that's why they're keeping the dates 'secret'!!!

 

Yes....it seems like that...invitation only.

[proton]

Last part of a long and brilliantly observed leaving letter by Sir Anthony Rumbold, her Britanic Majesties Ambassador on leaving Bangkok in 1967. I cannot agree with him about the music of course.

 

https://siranthonyrumbold.blogspot.com/

 

I have very much enjoyed living for a while in Thailand. One would have to be very insensitive or puritanical to take the view that the Thais had nothing to offer. It is true that they have no literature, no painting and only a very odd kind of music, that their sculpture, their ceramics and their dancing are borrowed from others and that their architecture is monotonous and their interior decoration hideous. Nobody can deny that gambling and golf are the chief pleasures of the rich and that licentiousness is the main pleasure of them all. But it does a faded European good to spend some time among such a jolly, extrovert and anti-intellectual people. And if anybody wants to know what their culture consists of the answer is that it consists of themselves, their excellent manners, their fastidious habits, their graceful gestures and their elegant persons. If we are elephants and oxen they are gazelles and butterflies. On the other hand I am glad not to be staying here longer.  I am certain that the deterioration in my mental process is due not only to the onset of old age but more particularly to the enervating effects of the climate which no amount of exercise and air conditioning can nullify.

 

20. Finally I must express my gratitude to the staff of this Embassy without whose cheerfulness and industry I could not have had so agreeable a stay.

[hotchilli]

On 1/18/2025 at 5:25 AM, webfact said:

The United Kingdom's Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, has unveiled an ambitious programme to celebrate 170 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Thailand.

He's almost got the best job in the world...

[Aussie999]

"Ties" that were actually broken, during WW2... but they conveniently choose to ignore those years

[Aussie999]

They do seem to forget history.

"In 7 January 1942, allied planes began bombing raids on the Thai capital city of Bangkok. With this added pressure, the Phibun government decided to declare war on the Allies. Later, Thailand declared war on the United Kingdom and the United States on 25 January 1942."

"By July 1944, Phibun was forced to resign and his 1942 declaration of war was determined to be unconstitutional and therefore legally void. As a result, Thailand never needed to official surrendered to the allies."

[freedomnow]

They could re-enact on stage some sozzled Brit crashing a pickup into a somtum road seller then the Brit and his classy leg-tatted Thai g/f beating him up for good measure.

 

Costume - Singha t-shirt, thick gold chain and union jack shorts and crocs.

 

I'm sure the London Symphony Orchestra could improv something according to the tussle tempo...

 

Then the Brit walks to the front of the stage as the light dims, single spotlight, tilts his head up as though addressing God himself and says triumphantly...

 

'HE DESERVED IT !'

 

and the light goes out.

 

 

[Emdog]

2 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

They do seem to forget history.

"In 7 January 1942, allied planes began bombing raids on the Thai capital city of Bangkok. With this added pressure, the Phibun government decided to declare war on the Allies. Later, Thailand declared war on the United Kingdom and the United States on 25 January 1942."

"By July 1944, Phibun was forced to resign and his 1942 declaration of war was determined to be unconstitutional and therefore legally void. As a result, Thailand never needed to official surrendered to the allies."

Hahaha.... did they bother to inform those who actually got a declaration of war (Australia, UK)? "Oh sorry, never mind....how about a nice plate of pad Thai?"

I'm too lazy to research, but I seem to recall that Thailand declared war on the US but the Thai ambassador never got around to delivering the paperwork... so technically weren't at war and does seem in line with many slippery ways of government here...

And that 170 year number: maybe started diplomatic relations 174 years ago, but took out the 4 for WW2.. "We didn't say continuous..."