Prayut hopes Sino-Thai ties last 'forever'
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND and China marked 40 years of diplomatic ties with a reception on Wednesday and pledged to deepen bilateral relations in the future.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said he hoped the ties would "last forever". He was among the guests at a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy to mark the 40th anniversary of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations.

Both sides pledged to contribute to deepening ties for the next 40 years. In his statement, Prayut said that both countries enjoyed cordial relations at all levels.

"For 40 years, China and Thailand's diplomatic relations have enjoyed a great leap forward. Relations between the two countries range from the level of the Royal family, government to government and the business sector to [respective] civil societies travelling between the two countries … the governments of the two countries have regularly exchanged visits," Prayut said.

Thailand and China have developed closer ties since the establishment of their formal relations in 1975. Those areas of cooperation include China's investments in Thai railway infrastructure and agricultural products and cooperation in the financial and banking sectors.

Wednesday's reception was attended by many personalities, including people who were involved in key policy decisions regarding Sino-Thai relations such as Tej Bunnag, former foreign minister and veteran diplomat, and Surakiart Sathirathai, chairman of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council and a former foreign minister.

This is not to forget key figures of the current government including Deputy PPMand Foreign Minister General Thanasak Patimapragorn and Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee.

Before starting his speech, the premier teased the Chinese interpreter by saying: "It happens that I make comments and speak out of the box." This sparked laughter from the crowd, making the ambience even more cordial.

"We've had 40 years of close ties. It would be difficult to keep the speech short," he said, and concluded his speech by saying: "I would like to extend the goodwill of this relationship to other friends worldwide. May this relationship enjoy ever closer and stable ties and may it last forever."

The premier then raised a toast with China's Ambassador to Thailand Ning Fukui.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-hopes-Sino-Thai-ties-last-forever-30263646.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-03

Perhaps tomorrow's celebrations by the United States will remind Thailand the Americans have been a staunch ally for a lot longer than the Communist Chinese, regardless of how sweet the Chinese talk.

previous juntas were anti communism, doubt they would be too happy with buck prayut suckling on chinas teat :-/

He actually used the phrase ..."a Great Leap Forward" ? He needs a new speech writer.

This is one wish that will indeed come true!

Just keep doing whatever they want Mr. P and there shouldn't be a problem.

Of course when you or whoever is in charge at the time wakens up to the realities it will be too late. Just wait until they suck you into the South China Sea dispute and you end up at odds with your ASEAN / AEC neighbours.

This is one wish that will indeed come true!

The ties will be mighty close, like the rope which kept Nellie (Thailand) tied to the railroad ties by Snideley Whiplash (China) - and there may not be an RCMP Dudley Dooright (the US and western countries) to save the day for the Thais.

reference: Rocky and Bullwinkle Show

Just keep doing whatever they want Mr. P and there shouldn't be a problem.

Of course when you or whoever is in charge at the time wakens up to the realities it will be too late. Just wait until they suck you into the South China Sea dispute and you end up at odds with your ASEAN / AEC neighbours.

Thailand will have no problem deciding which side of the fence to stand behind, while watching Phils grapple with the Chinese. Most of Thailand's politicians are Chinese-embedded, as are nearly all their corporate bosses. China's got more money than the Philippines, so the decision for Thailand to go off to play golf while Phils get their islands commandeered, is easy.

Well of course the upper echelons of Thai society will be happy with that considering their lineage.

The rest of the populace however may not....

"Before starting his speech, the premier teased the Chinese interpreter by saying: "It happens that I make comments and speak out of the box." This sparked laughter from the crowd, making the ambience even more cordial."

Must have been a lot funnier in Thai.

"Before starting his speech, the premier teased the Chinese interpreter by saying: "It happens that I make comments and speak out of the box." This sparked laughter from the crowd, making the ambience even more cordial."

Must have been a lot funnier in Thai.

Is speaking out of the box anything like putting your foot in your mouth ?

The last time I heard someone speaking out of a box was when I watched a "Dracula" movie- hm...

He actually used the phrase ..."a Great Leap Forward" ? He needs a new speech writer.

Had to go check that and yup he did.... OMFG how FUBAR is that ?

Did the two leaders give little friendly 'gooses' after the speech?

Well of course the upper echelons of Thai society will be happy with that considering their lineage.

The rest of the populace however may not....

MOTHERLAND!!! MOTHERLAND!!! MOTHERLAND!!!! .....

and One party rule.....

The author has done a remarkably good job of mimicking a Pravda article from the days of Brezhnev. I wonder if it was deliberate?

Here's what he sings in the shower every morning:

https://youtu.be/7DqvweTYTI0

Praising China and now off to Japan to praise them, he is the master of diplomacy yeah.

As a Buddhist he must know that nothing lasts for ever and in politics nothing lasts for very long.

And CP laughed all the way to the bank in Thailand and China...

"The premier then raised a toast with China's Ambassador to Thailand Ning Fukui."

I like that.

So what is his love affair with China. I am sure a lot of people want to know.

I remember the love affair with Japan which after capitulation of Japan became a love affair with the US.

I remember the love affair with Japan which after capitulation of Japan became a love affair with the US.

"Thailand and China have developed closer ties since the establishment of their formal relations in 1975."

surely just a coincidence that 1975 was the year the US was chased out of Saigon....

Yes the great Sino-Thai love affair can continue growing -

no visas for Chinese coming to Thailand

no restrictions on land ownership for Chinese coming to Thailand

no restrictions on business ownership for Chinese coming to Thailand

and a few other minor adjustments should ensure a fruitful Sino -Thai relationship for years to come.

Relations will last a long time once they get their hooks into you !!

Be careful, very careful !!

Burma could see the problems of great Sino happiness and shot the Sino out the door, probably a civilian Government in Thailand will do the same thing, being a little put out by the US response in regards to the coup isn't an excuse to go over board on China , a back ground check from other nations involved in the great Sino dream should raise a few concerns, if not raised eye brows..

Forever seems such a long time, an eternity almost.