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.