Thai-RI relations in 1999-2000
Thai-RI relations in 1999-2000
On the auspicious occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Thai-
Indonesian diplomatic relations, on Nov. 25, 1999, on behalf of
the Indonesian Government, Dr. I Gede Ngurah Anom, Director-
General for Culture handed over, to the Thai Ambassador, two
portraits of Their Majesties the King and Queen, which were among
the masterpieces painted in 1961 by the late renowned Indonesian
artist, Raden Basuki Abdullah.
The two portraits were subsequently presented to His Majesty
the King on His 72nd Birthday Anniversary. This signified the
gesture of goodwill and friendship of the Republic of Indonesia
toward our beloved King which were greatly appreciated by the
loyal Thai citizens.
On Oct. 30, 2000, Prof. Dr. H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol
was an official Guest of the Indonesian Government in Jakarta, to
officiate the Executive Seminar on Environmental Toxicology
jointly organized by Chulabhorn Research Institute, Thailand and
Environmental Impact Management Agency of Indonesia.
Intercountry visits
No less than three times has President Abdurrahman Wahid been
to Thailand, in one year. On one occasion, he had an audience
with His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab has paid several
visits to Thailand, while his counterpart, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has reciprocated
accordingly. Exchanges of visit and bilateral discussions were
also made by other concerned ministers of both countries.
The Commanders of the Armed Forces of the two countries have
made reciprocal visits; joint exercises and trainings were
organized by the two armies, in Indonesia and Thailand.
Having set up the first "Thai Room" at the Museum of North
Sumatra and the first "Indonesian corner" at Thaksin University's
Koh Yo Museum, Songkhla province, it was further agreed, on the
reciprocal basis, to establish a second "Thai Room" at the
National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta.
Several Thai Films Festivals jointly organized by the Thai
Embassy and Indonesian organizers, in Jakarta and Yogyakarta,
have been tremendously successful.
Language studies
Having assigned Thai diplomats to teach Thai language at the
University of Indonesia's School of Letters from September to
December 2000, a Thai lecturer from Srinakarinwirot University
has accepted the Embassy's invitation and is currently giving
Thai language course at the School.
The first essay competition, organized by the Embassy, on the
topic related to Thai-Indonesian relations has attracted over 119
Indonesian students, of which the four winning students were
invited to participate in an educational and cultural tour of
Thailand from Aug. 8 to Aug. 14, 2000.
Following the visits of Thai and Indonesian Governors
concerned, several Letters of Intent were signed in 2000
expressing the common desire to establish sister-city relations
between Jakarta/Bangkok and North Sumatra/Songkhla, while other
similar undertakings are in the making, hence the broadening
contacts between various provinces in the cultural and commercial
fields are to be materialized by next year.
Business contacts
In August 2000, the Thai Embassy and North Sumatra Chamber of
Commerce and Industry jointly led 40 Indonesian businesspeople
from North Sumatra and Riau provinces to visit southern Thailand
and Bangkok, to explore business and trade opportunities. The
participating Indonesian businesspeople had contacts with their
Thai counterparts in the fields of fisheries, agribusiness, spare
parts for vehicles, etc.
Having initially agreed on a draft Agreement between Thailand
and Indonesia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, it
is hoped that when it becomes a formal Agreement, it will further
contribute to mutual economic interests, facilitating business
transactions between the private sectors of both countries in a
very near future.