THAI-GERMAN TIES

Germany is committed to helping flood problem

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- German flood experts and their Thai counterparts are in the process of identifying areas of cooperation for long term projects aimed at addressing the problem that Germany Ambassador to Thailand, Rolf Schulze, described as an enormous challenge for any government on the planet.

Speaking to a group of local press on Monday, Ambassador Schultze said the flood was unforeseeable and added that there is no "ready-made recipe" to address the recent crisis because every case has its own unique characteristics.

Germany has had problem with floods on the eastern region of the country and their flood experts would be willing to share their experiences with their Thai counterparts.

Germany was one of the first countries to come forward in lending a helping hand for Thailand during the recent flood crisis though humanitarian aid.

Schulze said German firms were lucky not to have been adversely affected by the recent flood when compared to local and international firms. Nevertheless, Germany is committed to fuure cooperation on the matter, Ambassador Schulze said.

Thailand host about 600 German firms and assembly lines and the country received about 500,000 visitors from Germany on annual basis. Moreover, about 30,000 German nationals are permanent resident of Thailand, he said.

The ambassador said this year marked the 150th anniversary of Thailand-Germany diplomatic relations and added that a wide range of social and cultural events and projects have been lined up to commemorate the occasion.

Some of these projects include the restoration of historical sites in Ayutthya, as well as movie festivals in Bangkok and other cities in the country.

Cooperation between the two countries have been "friendly and cordial across the board" in the people-to-people sphere, as well as between the two governments, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-20

Seems like a good offer to me. Will they take it?

Seems like a good offer to me. Will they take it?

Only if it is done in secret and no one finds out they are receiving advice/assistance from out of country resources.

Seems like a good offer to me. Will they take it?

It is a good offer. But is it contingent on the repayment of the 30 million Euros that the German court found in favor of the German construction company against the Thai government last year? The last news regarding the relations between the Germans and Thais, cordial or otherwise, was the impounding of the Thai jet in Munich as collateral and bond for this significant Thai debt. This news included the points that Kasit Piromya was "dashing off" to Germany to secure release of the impounded 737 and threatening "reprisals and consequences" by Thailand for this German action. One would wonder about the lack of news regarding these "consequences" and also whatever happened to the 30 million Euros?

Seems like a good offer to me. Will they take it?

It is a good offer. But is it contingent on the repayment of the 30 million Euros that the German court found in favor of the German construction company against the Thai government last year? The last news regarding the relations between the Germans and Thais, cordial or otherwise, was the impounding of the Thai jet in Munich as collateral and bond for this significant Thai debt. This news included the points that Kasit Piromya was "dashing off" to Germany to secure release of the impounded 737 and threatening "reprisals and consequences" by Thailand for this German action. One would wonder about the lack of news regarding these "consequences" and also whatever happened to the 30 million Euros?

His majesty the royal prince paid 20 (if I remember correctly) of those 30 million euros from his own pocket and then Germany released the jet.

Germany helping Thailand to solve the flooding problems??????

Really?

Like they solved their Rhine problems by shoving it into The Netherlands?

Good show!

Thais are showing their support for this new entente cordiale by wearing those Hitler T shirts.

I think calling the flood 'unforseeable' is a bit of a stretch. This didn't happen in the middle of the desert.