Thailand–Turkey relations

Thailand–Turkey relations are the modern foreign relations between Thailand and Turkey. The cordial relations between the two countries (after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923) date back to 1958, when the two countries established diplomatic relations. Shortly after, Turkey set up its embassy in Bangkok.[1] Thailand reciprocated by opening its embassy in 1972.[2] However, even during the era of the Ottoman Empire, there had been historical contacts between the Empire and Siam at the time -- most notably the visit of Prince Damrong, younger brother of King Chulalongkorn the Great of Siam, to Istanbul as the royal guest of Sultan Abdul Hamid II in 1891.

Thai-Turkish relations

Thailand
Turkey
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Thailand, AnkaraEmbassy of Turkey, Bangkok
Envoy
Ambassador Apirat SugondhabhiromAmbassador Evren Dağdelen Akgün

Diplomatic Relations

Thailand and Turkey established diplomatic relations since 19 June 1958. Shortly afterwards, Turkey opened their embassy in Bangkok, and Thailand later opened its embassy in Ankara in 1972.

Initially, the Thai Government tasked the Ambassadors of Thailand in Karachi (Pakistan), and Vienna (Austria), to also be accredited to Turkey. Notably, the second non-resident Ambassador of Thailand to Turkey during 1963-1968 was the then Thai Ambassador in Vienna, General Chatichai Choonhavan, who went on to become the Thai Foreign Minister (1975-1976) and, later, Prime Minister of Thailand (1988-1991).

During the Cold War, through the 1960s until 1980s[3] and early 1990s,[4] both Thailand’s and Turkey’s foreign policy was pro-Western,[5] united in the belief[6] that the spread of communism, communist China for Thailand[7] and the Soviet Union for Turkey,[8] posed a threat to the world. During this time, as a result of apprehension over Soviet intentions[9] toward Vietnam, Thailand maintained close economic and security ties with Turkey.[10] It is notable that Thailand was a location of the secretariat of the now-defunct SEATO while Turkey was then the location of the headquarters of CENTO. Both countries also were allies of the US during the Korean War (1950-1953). Since then, relations have remained close and cordial.

Economic Relations
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$1.34 billion in 2019 (Turkish exports/imports: 0.26/1.1 billion USD).[11]
  • The 1966 Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations, facilitates Thai and Turkish companies’ access to one another's markets.[12]
  • The Thailand–Turkey Free Trade Agreement negotiations are ongoing as of 2021.[13]
  • There are direct flights from Istanbul to Bangkok (21 flights per week) and Phuket (7 flights per week).[14]

Cultural Relations
  • As Thailand and Turkey celebrated the 60th anniversary of their relationship in 2018, Turkey declared that year as the Year of Thailand.[15]
  • Turkey's development assistance between 2004 and 2013 to Thailand was valued at US$66.5 million.[16]
  • TIKA has carried out the restoration project of Bang Uthit Mosque in Bangkok (2014–2015).[17]
  • Turkey funds higher education scholarships for Thai students to study through various programs. Thailand’s alumni network from Turkish Scholarships program has grown to more than 400-members strong since the program's inception in 1992.[18]

See also

References
  1. "Relations between Turkey and Thailand". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  2. "Relations between Turkey and Thailand". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  3. Wyatt, David K. Thailand: A Short History. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1984.
  4. Phuangkasem, Corrine. Thailand's Foreign Relations 1964-94. (Occasional Paper, No. 74.) Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1995.
  5. Morrison, Charles E., and Astri Suhrke. Strategies of Survival: The Foreign Policy Dilemmas of Smaller Asian States. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1979.
  6. "The Politics of Intergovernmental Relations in Thailand," Asian Survey, 19, No. 5, May 1979, pp. 506-22.
  7. "Three Cardinal Principles for Thai-Turkey Relations," Bangkok Post, December 17, 1986, 4.
  8. "Three Cardinal Principles for Thai-Turkey Relations," Bangkok Post, December 17, 1986, 4.
  9. Niksch, Larry A. "Thailand in 1980: Confrontation with Vietnam and the Fall of Kriangsak," Asian Survey, 21, No. 2, February 1981, pp. 223-31.
  10. Juree Vichit-Vadakan. "Thailand in 1985: Year of Facing up to Facts," Asian Survey, 26, No. 2, February 1986, pp. 174-85.
  11. "Turkey-Thailand Economic and Trade Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  12. "Turkey-Thailand Economic and Trade Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  13. "Turkey-Thailand Economic and Trade Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  14. "Turkey-Thailand Economic and Trade Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  15. "Turkey-Thailand Economic and Trade Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  16. "Turkey-Thailand Economic and Trade Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  17. "Turkey-Thailand Economic and Trade Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  18. "Turkey-Thailand Economic and Trade Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.