Report UK-Thai Relations Celebrated in Southern Thailand Roadshow

[snoop1130]

Photo of Mark Gooding and Krabi Governor Angkul Seelatheewakul courtesy of The Phuket News

 

To commemorate the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Thailand, the British Embassy in Bangkok concluded a successful three-day roadshow across southern Thailand. From April 28 to 30, the tour visited Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Surat Thani, blending diplomacy with lively community events.

 

Headed by British Ambassador Mark Gooding, the embassy team, including Agriculture and Commercial Counsellors, focused on sustainable tourism, agriculture, and environmental cooperation under the theme "Our Shared World." This encompassed various facets such as environment, wildlife, marine, nature, climate, and sustainable tourism.

 

In Phang Nga, Ambassador Gooding visited the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation to observe UK-backed veterinary initiatives. He participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, highlighting environmental collaboration. The team then moved to Krabi, where they explored eco-friendly innovations at the Venice Krabi Villa Resort and met with Krabi Governor Angkul Seelatheewakul.

 

The roadshow's conclusion in Surat Thani featured a visit to CP Foods’ swine production site, showcasing high-standard food exports and UK import protocols. This was complemented by a courtesy call with Surat Thani Governor Theerut Supawiboonphol and a roundtable lunch with the provincial Chamber of Commerce, focusing on sustainability in tourism and agriculture. The delegation also visited Sriwichai Shrimp Farm to discuss UK–Thailand cooperation in aquaculture and food security.

 

The British Fair 2025 served as the roadshow's highlight, taking place at Big C locations in Phuket and Surat Thani. It drew hundreds of locals, featuring cultural performances, music, giveaways, and displays of British products, transforming diplomatic relations into a community celebration.

 

Ambassador Gooding remarked, "This roadshow has been a true celebration of the vibrant, people-centred partnership between the United Kingdom and Thailand. It was a privilege to mark 170 years of diplomatic relations not only through high-level engagements but also by connecting with communities, students, businesses, and environmental champions across the south."

 

Big C CEO Aswin Techajareonvikul added, "We are proud to host the British Fair in celebration of a long trade relationship, and we will continue to strengthen our commercial ties and the long friendship between our two countries."

 

With further roadshows planned for 2025, the UK maintains its commitment to celebrating and strengthening the enduring friendship with Thailand, ensuring this milestone year is marked by significant progress and collaboration.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-06

 

 

[Kinnock]

Unfortunately the UK is an embarrassment in Thailand ever since we had to sell the embassy and move into the Trendy Building or whetever to help pay the national debt.

 

The Netherlands, Australia, US and more managed to keep their prestigious embassies, but we're now camped out in a cheap condo building.

[sungod]

16 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Unfortunately the UK is an embarrassment in Thailand ever since we had to sell the embassy and move into the Trendy Building or whetever to help pay the national debt.

 

The Netherlands, Australia, US and more managed to keep their prestigious embassies, but we're now camped out in a cheap condo building.

 

The Embassy is not in Trendy, its in AIA building in Sathorn which is not a condo. The sale of the previous embassy helped finance other Embassy projects instead of relying on the UK tax payers.

 

BTW, security/protection in a high rise such as the AIA building is better than a standalone compound, just ask the Israelis who favour such.

 

 

[bkk_mike]

It's still a bit of an embarrassment to be selling land that was originally gifted to the UK for building an embassy on.

It wouldn't have been gifted to us if they'd known we were going to turn around and sell it for a profit.

[Srikcir]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Thailand, the British Embassy in Bangkok concluded a successful three-day roadshow across southern Thailand.

Ironically, it was with then super power UK permission that Thailand forceably annexed the sovereign Islamic Kingdom of Patani to become part of Thailand.

So I doubt the Malay Muslims of Patani territory experienced cheer with this roadshow, especially since part of the former Kingdom of Patani is still under a State of Emergency that deprived portions of Patani citizens of any constitutional rights. 

[Anthony mellows]

21 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Unfortunately the UK is an embarrassment in Thailand ever since we had to sell the embassy and move into the Trendy Building or whetever to help pay the national debt.

 

The Netherlands, Australia, US and more managed to keep their prestigious embassies, but we're now camped out in a cheap condo building.

That building and gardens was far too luxurious.You are talking rubbish.

[Kinnock]

12 hours ago, sungod said:

 

The Embassy is not in Trendy, its in AIA building in Sathorn which is not a condo. The sale of the previous embassy helped finance other Embassy projects instead of relying on the UK tax payers.

 

BTW, security/protection in a high rise such as the AIA building is better than a standalone compound, just ask the Israelis who favour such.

 

 

These excuses for selling the family silver don't seem to worry America, Netherlands, Australia, Korea etc, etc, etc.  Even Pakistan has a stand-alone low rise embassy.

 

UK is a joke in Thailand since selling it's embassy to Central.

 

[geisha]

The world has changed since the beginning of the old embassy. The Empire is no more. The question is, did they provide more/ better help and diplomatic meetings in the time of the old building ? 

[sungod]

8 hours ago, Kinnock said:

These excuses for selling the family silver don't seem to worry America, Netherlands, Australia, Korea etc, etc, etc.  Even Pakistan has a stand-alone low rise embassy.

 

UK is a joke in Thailand since selling it's embassy to Central.

 

Standalone embassies are harder to secure, more expensive to maintain.

 

I dont think the move to Sathorn has bothered you much given you said they had moved to Trendy!

[Kinnock]

12 hours ago, sungod said:

Standalone embassies are harder to secure, more expensive to maintain.

 

I dont think the move to Sathorn has bothered you much given you said they had moved to Trendy!

After the move I never had a need to use the British Embassy, as it was the embassy building itself, specifically the residence, that was very useful for business launches.  So I've never been to the relocated embassy in whatever rented condo building they are squatting.  And considering they paid no rent or building fees on the old embassy, I'm guessing the monthly costs have increased.

 

I mentioned 'Trendy building or wherever' as a sarcastic reference to the low quality VFS offices who do most the real work of the embassy .... and judging by your defensive replies I'm guessing you work for the embassy too?

 

But no independent observer could really think the downgrading of the reputation of the UK in Thailand was a good thing.

[MalcolmB]

UK-Thai Relations Celebrated
 

I have lots of relations with Thai women as have had probably over half a million UK men.

Thanks to the women of Thailand for taking such great care of all of us.

[sungod]

2 hours ago, Kinnock said:

After the move I never had a need to use the British Embassy, as it was the embassy building itself, specifically the residence, that was very useful for business launches.  So I've never been to the relocated embassy in whatever rented condo building they are squatting.  And considering they paid no rent or building fees on the old embassy, I'm guessing the monthly costs have increased.

 

I mentioned 'Trendy building or wherever' as a sarcastic reference to the low quality VFS offices who do most the real work of the embassy .... and judging by your defensive replies I'm guessing you work for the embassy too?

 

But no independent observer could really think the downgrading of the reputation of the UK in Thailand was a good thing.

No I dont work for the Embassy.

 

I am just a realist and know the way things work, no one cares (except for you that is) where the Embassy is, its what is does that counts.

 

Guess you are missing cucumber sandwiches on the lawn, waving Union Jacks and singing rule Britannia.

 

Bye, you really dont have a clue,

[Kinnock]

2 hours ago, sungod said:

No I dont work for the Embassy.

 

I am just a realist and know the way things work, no one cares (except for you that is) where the Embassy is, its what is does that counts.

 

Guess you are missing cucumber sandwiches on the lawn, waving Union Jacks and singing rule Britannia.

 

Bye, you really dont have a clue,

Oddly aggressive post for someone who claims to not be connected to the embassy 😅.   But despite your assertions, British businesses in Thailand do care about the falling reputation of the UK in Thai.  

 

Fortunately we still have the British Club to host events, but it does not have the prestigious location of the old embassy.  When the new Mini Cooper was launched in Thailand a while ago (yes I know it's a German car, but made in UK) they used the old British Embassy ..... what would they do today .... park the Minis outside the Trendy building and host a dinner in Sunrise Tacos?