--By Suraksha Adhikari

 

Nepal and Thailand established diplomatic relations fifty years ago. The status of diplomatic representation was raised from Ministerial level to the Ambassadorial level in May 1969. Resident diplomatic missions at Charge d’Affaires level were opened in each other’s capitals in 1969, which were subsequently upgraded to Ambassadorial level in 1980.

 

Nepal and Thailand have been bound by similarity of culture and shared values. There is very good friendship, goodwill and understanding between the two countries.

 

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, in addition to other cooperation between Nepal and Thailand, Thailand has been providing a number of short-term and long-term scholarships for Nepalese students in medicine, engineering, economics, communication, agriculture and other areas under the Technical Cooperation scheme among Developing Countries through Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and other cooperation schemes.

 

In order to foster economic cooperation between the two countries, a Joint Working Group at the level of Foreign Secretaries was established for the first time in 1984. The first meeting of the Joint Working Group was held in Kathmandu in 1986. The Joint Working Group was upgraded to Joint Commission in 1990 at the Foreign Secretary level. The Joint Commission has been coordinating cooperative relations between the two countries. The first meeting of the Joint Commission took place in 1990 in Thailand and the Second one in Kathmandu in 1996. A meeting of the Joint Commission is held regularly as scheduled by both countries. Joint Commission focuses on exploring the possibilities to further expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, foreign investment, Tourism, civil aviation, and culture.

 

Since the establishment of Nepal Thailand diplomatic relations, the overall relations between two countries have always been excellent, and based on mutual trust, respect and understanding. They 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.

 

 

Thai Cooperation in Lumbini

 Thai people and Government have tremendous goodwill towards Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Thai Government has built a Temple of Thai style in Lumbini. The Royal Thai Monastery is located in the vicinity of the birthplace of Lord Buddha at the Lumbini Sacred Garden. The construction has been funded by the Royal Thai Government and the devoted Thai Buddhists followers. The project was initiated to honour the celebration of commemorating the 50th Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the Throne.

 

Exchange of Visits

Exchange of visits at high level has played important role in developing mutual understanding between Nepal and Thailand. Contacts at various levels have provided opportunity to exchange views on a range of issues of mutual interest, both bilateral and international. Besides, they have enhanced the prospects for broader political and economic relations.

 

Bilateral Trade, Tourism and Investment

Thailand’s experience basically in the field of agriculture, small and medium enterprises and Tourism can be beneficial to Nepal.  Nepal Chambers of Commerce and Thai Chambers of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding on May 20, 2004 in Bangkok for promoting bilateral trade and commerce. Thai investment has been realized in manufacturing, production of mineral water, hotel business, restaurant, etc. Thailand has become an important tourist market for Nepal in the recent years. A number of Thai people visit Nepal every year, particularly to pay pilgrimage to Lumbini. Many of them also make a tour in other parts to enjoy the scenic and natural beauty of Nepal. There are direct and regular flights operated by both Nepali and Thai airlines linking capitals of Nepal and Thailand, which greatly promote trade and Tourism between the two countries. 

 

 

Nepal - Thailand Economic and Technical Cooperation

Thailand is providing a number of short term and long term scholarships to Nepalese students in medicine, engineering, economics, communication, agriculture and other areas under Colombo Plan and Technical Cooperation scheme among Developing Countries through Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA).

 

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 as public health, agriculture, education, tourism and rural development.

 

Religious and Cultural Cooperation

Religious and cultural cooperation is also the major aspect of the long standing relationship between Nepal and Thailand. Ninety per cent of Thai people are Buddhist while Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Over 50, 000 Thai pilgrims visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, every year.  

 

Trade 

Trade relation between Nepal and Thailand is heavily in favour of Thailand. Nepal imports electrical goods, construction materials, clothing, transport and telecommunication goods from Thailand and exports to Thailand consist of handicrafts, woollen carpets and Nepalese paper products.  In terms of import trade, Thailand is one of the largest partners for Nepal, accounting to around 5 percent of the total trade. Over 80 different varieties of merchandize ranging from palm oil products, processed food to rubber products to motor vehicles, their parts and industrial goods are imported into Nepal. There has been a surge in the import trade from Thailand in the recent years. 

 

Nepal’s exports to Thailand, though very small now, show some prospect for growth. Possible areas for further exploration can be hides and skin, Himalayan herbs and herbal products, handicrafts, garments, jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones etc.

 

Nepal can take benefit from Thailand’s experience basically in the field of agriculture, small and medium enterprises and tourism. 

 

Tourism

About 94% of Thai population is Buddhist. Thousands of Thai people visit Nepal every year for religious purpose and also enjoy natural beauty of Nepal. Thailand has become an important tourist market for Nepal in the recent years. The figure of Thai tourist visiting to Nepal for last four years is as follows:

 

Investment

Thai investment has been realized in the sectors of manufacturing, production of mineral water, hotel business, restaurant, etc. Thailand has invested Rs.116.29 Million in 11 different industries creating 1159 jobs for Nepali people. 

 

 

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“Nepal is a true friend of Thailand”

 

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.