BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA, 5 DECEMBER 2024:
“It is a true privilege to have you here today to celebrate the National Day of the kingdom of Thailand.December 5th is a day of deep meaning and profound significance for us as it marks the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the beloved late King of Thailand,” says Siriporn Tantipanyathep, Consulate General of Thailand in Kolkata.
The day is also celebrated as Father’s Day in Thailand and it fills the hearts with immense pride as we reflect on the extraordinary ordinary legacy His Majesty has left behind through nearly 5,000 royal projects, each one a testament to his tireless commitment and deep care for the nation, she added.
“To the Thai people in hearts and souls, His Majesty is not just a King, he is the Father of the nation whose spirit continue to inspire and guide Thailand. As we remember his remarkable contributions, we also honor the compassionate leadership of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn who continue this legacy through the Royal Initiative volunteer projects encouraging us to unite in strength and solidarity and work together for the well being of all, the Thai Consulate General said.
“Over the past 10 months since I assumed my duty in Kolkata, we have been fully committed to further enhancing the ties with India across all dimensions of corporations.
With particular focus on the Eastern stage which within our jurisdictions.
From supporting healthcare projects in Bodhgaya and Darjeeling to organizing cultural events like Thai Food Festival in Odisha and the Thai Cooking Showcase in Kolkata.
We also participated in several key forum including the TTF and the International Book Fair in Kolkata,”she said.
As we gather here in this beautiful city of joy, Kolkata and filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the precious bonds that unite our two great nations, India and Thailand.
Thailand was indeed one of the very first countries to establish diplomatic relations with India back in 1947, shortly after his Majesty Late King Bhubipon succeeded the throne.
Over these 77 years we have built a strong and a cordial relationship. Yet the true connections between our two nations goes much deeper and far beyond trade, politics or diplomacy, she said.
“It is rooted in our shared history, culture and above all in our spiritual ties that have forged for thousands of years. At the heart of this is Buddhism which originated in India and found a very welcoming home in the Kingdom of Thailand. And today, Buddhism continue to inspire us with timeless value of peace, compassions and understanding.
Something we truly treasure and serve as the foundations for our deep and enduring friendship,” Smt. Tantiyathep added.
Thailand holds the relationship with India in very high regard. We recognize the immense potential for deeper collaborations in every sector from culture and education to trade, investment and tourism and beyond. We joyfully celebrate Indian festivals like Holi, Navaratri , you might not believe, and also Diwali in Thailand and which not only bring our people closer but also strengthen the spirit of unity, much of appreciation and share.
Earlier this year we were particularly grateful to the Indian government for the generous gestures of bringing in the holy relics of Buddha and of his disciples for 26 day expositions in Thailand. This second event, you know, over 4 million people in Thailand, including Their Majesty the King and Queen paid respects during the second event. And each year more than 80,000 Thai people travel to India and we are particularly to Bodhgaya and the Buddhist circuit. And in turn Thailand is proud to welcome over 1.8 million Indian visitors.
And we are especially honored to see this number continue to grow, particularly following the recent introductions of visa free entry for Indian citizens which has made travel between our two countries even easier and more accessible through outgoing exchanges at every level, whether people to people, business to business or government to government. And we are very excited to build on this momentum.
Looking ahead in the coming year we are particularly excited to participate in the children film festivals and to organize a Thai festival here in Kolkata as well as we will continue our corporate social responsibility projects to support local community, reflecting the good view from the government and people of Thailand and further strengthening our bonds in 2025.
Please join us in celebrating the amazing Thailand Tourism and Sport Year.
This full year of grand celebrations will feature a series of exciting major tourism events and festivals including our special five must do in Thailand.
The five Must do thinks in Thailand – must see, must seek, must try, must trade and must buy.
Approximately two routes in all five regions showcasing the very best of Thailand, especially in our hidden cities. And perhaps what made Thailand truly irresistible.
“Go beyond our white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue sea or our private shopping and delicious cuisines. There is something deeper, something more profound.
It is the deep sense of connection, something more profound dearly and the welcoming spirit that run through the DNA of the Thai people and warmly extend to everyone who visits. The Land of Smiles is waiting to welcome and share this magic with all of you. So please visit,”she said.
“By the way, I’m very proud to announce that today, just this morning, a beloved Thai dish ‘Tomyum Kung’ has officially been announced by UNESCO as Thailand latest intangible cultural heritage.
And we are happy to serve you this evening,”she concluded.
Smt. Nandini Chakraborty, Home Secretary and Tourism Secretary of West Bengal has said that Thailand is one of the most popular tourism destinations for the people of this state and said that it is an integral part of India’s Look East Policy. She also spoke about the links of the medieval tales of the stories of Ramayana with Thailand and connections with Lord Buddha. She also laid emphasis of how Thailand is important for cultural, tourism and business and trade exchanges with Bengal.
“ The foundation of our relationship is deeply rooted in history, shared cultural heritage and people to people connections that have flourished over centuries. From our shared maritime borders along the Andaman sea to a vibrant trade links exemplify a true partnership. The echoes of our shared heritage are seen in Thailand’s architecture , art, language and literature . Buddhism which has been the cornerstone of Thai culture has its origins in India,” said Smt. Nandini Chakrabarati.
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and Skall International Kolkata along with The Park Hotel were the co organizers of the event. Besides several consuls generals of different countries, representatives of various chambers and travel agents associations were also present.
The event concluded with a gala dinner with all popular Thai dishes.
Advertisement:
Add Comment