Today marks my first anniversary as ambassador to the Republic of India. Much has happened with positive, rich and rewarding experiences. I am grateful for the good fortune to be in this incredible land during an important point in time.

Early event in 2012 has unfolded on a promising page with the Government of India sending its strongest gesture to deepen its relations with Thailand and ASEAN by inviting H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra to pay a state visit to India and be Chief Guest on its Republic Day celebrations.

PM Yingluck at Rashtrapati Bhawan

I was with my Prime Minister throughout her official programme and wish to express my sincere appreciation for the gracious hospitality and warmest welcome the Indian leaders and the public had showed to our first woman Premier. Her entourage included a large delegation of businessmen who also had a fruitful visit and meetings with their counterparts. Six MOUs, signed during this visit, are providing strong foundation for bilateral cooperation from defence to trade, education, legal matters, culture, science and technology to be further enhanced.

This landmark visit has produced concrete outcomes in many areas. To facilitate greater flow of visitors between the two countries, an ad hoc Joint Working Group on consular matters is being set up to address issues related to travel, visa facilitation and safety of Indian and Thai tourists. The Joint Working Group on connectivity and infrastructure will be looking into possible cooperation between Thailand and India with regard to the Dawei deep sea port and industrial complex. Once completed, it will become the hub of India’s long-sought transport corridor to Southeast Asia. These developments are clear signals from the Thai side to welcome India to partake in the physical and economic integration of the region.

H.R.H Prof. Dr. Princess Chulabhorn was the latest member of our Royal Family who had a good visit to India in early February. She held discussion on work plan between her Chulabhorn Research Institute and the WHO, South East Asian Regional Office especially on chemical safety and environmental health situation in member countries.

H.R.H Prof. Dr. Princess Chulabhorn at a meeting with Dr.Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director of WHO/SEARO

My Foreign Minister has made a difficult record for anyone to beat, three official visits to India within 7 weeks during December 2011 – February 2012. His third visit was to deliver a keynote address at the Delhi Dialogue IV, one of the most substantive speeches before the packed audience of diplomats, think-tank scholars, businessmen and press.

H.E. Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul at Delhi Dialogue IV

Early 2012 also saw a very promising start for outbound visit from India to Thailand. The Travel & Leisure Magazine (India & South Asia) had voted Thailand as “The World’s Best Country 2011” and “The World’s Best Wedding Destination” while Thailand got the top place for holiday destination among Indian travellers. ( 916,787 compared with 868,963 of Indian who went to Singapore) Indians is now Thailand's 6 most important visitors after Malaysia, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea. I do not think it is too difficult a job for TAT offices in India and Team Thailand to increase the number of Indians to pass 10 lakhs in the near future.

Deputy Marketing Director for Communication, Tourism Authority of Thailand, at a ceremony hosted by Travel & Leisure

In February, Thailand’s participation in two major events in India further strengthened the people-to-people contact between Thailand and India. A Thai cultural troupe and a noted Thai Buddhist scholar participated in the Boudh Mahotsav in Gaya, a celebration of the 2600th anniversary of the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha; a testament to the long and historical religious bonds between the two countries. Thailand, as a Soul Partner Country, also showcased Thai culture and Thai delicate handicrafts in the 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela, the biggest annual craft fair in Haryana.

Smt. Meira Kumar, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Shri Taroon Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam and other Indian dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela

I have taken every opportunity to visit leading universities in India. Over the past months, I had met with Prof S.K Sopory, Vice Chancellor of JNU, Dr.Sanjay Chahande, new Vice Chancellor Pune University and Dr. Lalji Singh, new Vice Chancellor BHU in Varanasi where Thai students are enjoying their quality of teaching. I look forward to working with them and many others to bring our two academic cooperation closer. I plan to visit Aligarh University in the near future to meet with over a hundred of Thai Muslim students there and discuss possible cooperation between Aligarh and the Thai side to enable more Thai Muslim students to enjoy the academic excellence in a friendly and open environment at Aligarh and other institutions in India.

with Dr. Lalji Singh, BHU Vice Chancellor (L) on Sunday 18 March

In the next few months, I will also be visiting a number of states which have the potentials for our mutually beneficial interests in business, education, tourism, Buddhism and other cultural areas. This is part of my getting to know Incredible India as the country and people do not stop fascinating their visitors, far and near.

If you wish to offer your advice or suggestions to our websites, www.thaiemb.org.in and www.thaiindia.net or on the work of my Embassy, please feel free to write to me at thaidel@mfa.go.th.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,