Since assuming the position of Ambassador of Thailand to Nepal for one and half year, I have received many chance to meet many Nepalese counterparts from government, business societies, academics and media. I have found that Nepal is a true friend of Thailand. We are quite similar in terms of culture and religion. We are delighted to work here in Nepal and plan to work closely with Nepali counterparts on various mutually beneficial projects.

 

What are the salient features of government-to-government relation between Thailand and Nepal in the last two years?

Our ongoing plans to further support Thailand and Nepal bilateral relationship are the development of the cremation center in Janakpur and construction of the general hospital in Lumbini. When these matters will materialize, they will be another testimony of our strong and bonded relationship. I would like to reaffirm our strong and bonded relationship.

 

With Thai cuisine popular in Kathmandu and tourism on both sides being actively participated by the people, what are the main areas of people-to-people relation between Thailand and Nepal?

We are planning to demonstrate Thai cooking class. This year I would also would like to conduct Thai cooking classes in hotels and other tourist destination to make the Nepali people familiar with real Thai food.  This will be helpful for Nepal’s hospitality industry also along with familiarizing Thai cuisines among Nepalis and subsequently increase imports of Thai products from Thailand too. 

 

There are several areas where Thai-Nepal business collaborations have happened in the past. How active and successful has been the Nepal Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industries?

We cooperate closely with Nepal Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NTCCI). Next month we are going on a trip to Thailand in my leadership. We will go to see some projects like “One Village One Product”. Along with that the NTCCI group will be visiting Thailand to hold discussions on some projects with their Thai counterparts.

 

Do you have any ongoing or upcoming projects that specifically focus on Lumbini’s development and in promoting the Buddhist Heritage in Nepal? 

Lumbini does have Lumbini Development Trust so it is a little bit difficult for Thai government to come to help in developing Lumbini. But we have already done some projects in Lumbini. Thai people have donated large sum of money to renovate and develop Maya Devi Temple and its surrounding area. Furthermore, support also has been extended to various Buddhist organizations in Nepal on projects related to Buddhism. These activities are the testimony of strong cultural and religious link between Thailand and Nepal. 

 

Can you throw some light on global positioning, foreign policy and South-East Asian relations of Thailand?

Thailand’s foreign policy places priority on the country’s partnership with its immediate neighbours, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asian region as a whole. While recognizing the importance of strengthening its ties with existing partners, Thailand continues to deepen and broaden its partnership with countries in other part of the world including Africa, the USA, Europe, Middle East and South Asia. Thailand is now pushing for the integration of the AEAN Community by 2015.

 

Under the “Prosper thy Neighbour” policy, Thailand has continued to assist its neighbours in economic development, which is essential for the realization of ASEAN community. 

 

Moreover, Thailand encourages people-to-people contacts with foreign countries and plays a creative role in promoting their national interest in international organizations, especially at the United Nations and regional organizations in order to preserve peace and security, promote democratic process, human rights, humanitarianism, environment and sustainable development, as well as cooperation to address all transnational issues that affect human security.

 

How can Nepal benefit from Thailand’s business market? Are there any plans for extending cooperation between both nations further?

Since the establishment of Thailand-Nepal diplomatic relations, the overall relations between two countries have always been excellent, based on mutual trust, respect and understanding. We have close cooperation in various fields of common interest and mutual concerns. Both of the country have worked together to strengthen their relations and supported each other in international and regional forums.

 

Thailand has become a preferred destination in Asia for tourism, medical services and higher education. We enjoy a strategic location that provides easy access to a longer market of nearly 600 million people, which is expected to gain even more strength when the ASEAN vision of one community materializes in 2015. 

 

The ASEAN Economic Community of AEC will create a single market and production base with the population over 600 million of people. It will create new challenges and opportunities for Nepali private sector who are now doing business in Thailand and for those who plan to do business in Thailand in near future. 

 

Similarly, Thailand is now promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition) in the country with the aim to invite foreign business group to conduct MICE activities in Thailand and choose it as a preferred destination for such activities. The Thai government is also ready to render its full support to increase the economic cooperation with Nepal.

 

On technical cooperation, Thailand government has supported Nepal in terms of human resource development by providing over 30 scholarships per year for higher education and short training courses for Nepali government officials in many areas such as public health, agriculture, education, tourism and rural development.

 

Moreover, we also extend our support in humanitarian and people to people projects such as free eye screening and cataract surgery for the needy Nepali since 2010 by cooperating with the Royal Thai Monastery in Lumbini and Youth Eye Service, a Nepali charitable organization as well as donation to various Nepali social organizations.