Thailand - Thailand was among the first to establish diplomatic relations with Malaysia on Aug 31, 1957. The two nations will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations from Aug 31to Aug 30 next year.
Seminars, cultural performances and receptions will be held in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. A commemorative book titled Rajaphruek and Bunga Raya: Fifty Years of Everlasting Friendship between Thailand and Malaysia 1957-2007 will also be published.
The length of such relations is not the only reason to celebrate. The co-operation and friendship are what is important and should be given attention. Furthermore, people-to-people contact has existed long before the establishment of diplomatic relations. The cultural similarities and closeness of Thais and Malaysians along the border are evidence of these historical bonds.
Thailand and Malaysia enjoy close relations at all levels from the royal family to governments to local communities. King Chulalongkorn and King Vajiravudh visited the then Federated Malay States since 1871 and 1924 respectively.
However, the first state visit after diplomatic ties were established was the visit to Malaya of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit in 1962. On that occasion, King Bhumibol Adulyadej conferred the Most Auspicious Order of Rajamitrabhorn on Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Putra . This royal decoration was established in 1962 and is given only to heads of state. It is the most senior Thai decoration and Tuanku Syed Putra was the first recipient.
Since then six Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong have visited Thailand on either state or official visits. In the five decades of Thai-Malaysian diplomatic relations, five Yang di-Pertuan Agong paid state visits to Thailand in 1964, 1973, 1985, 1990 and 2000.
The only official visit was in June last year when Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tengku Fauziah joined kings, queens and members of royal families from 24 nations to celebrate the 60th anniversary His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej‘s accession to the throne.
People-to-people contact plays a significant role in cementing relations between countries. Thais and Malaysians have developed close ties even before the two countries became modern nation states.
Centuries-old historical ties have developed close cultural similarities particularly along the border. In the southern border provinces of Thailand, the influence of Malay culture can be observed in language, tradition and way of life.
At the same time, there are 60,000 Malays of Thai origin in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia that still practise Thai traditions and can speak Thai.
The blend of Thai and Malay cultures are evident in language, food and sports. Several Malay words are used in Thai such as bunga (flower), bulan (moon) and selatan (south).
In sports, sepak takraw is a combination of Malay and Thai. "Sepak" is Malay for kick and "takraw" in Thai means rattan ball. This sport is popular in Southeast Asia and the Thai and Malaysian teams regularly compete for the "world" championship.
With regard to personal connection between Thailand and Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the first prime minister of Malaysia is a good example. Born on Feb 8, 1903 in Alor Star, he was the 12th child of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah of Kedah.
His mother was a daughter of a Thai officer during the reign of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand. In 1913, he was sent to Bangkok to study at Debsirin School for four years before continuing his studies at Penang Free School. There is no doubt that Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra has developed friendship with many Thais. He was therefore popular and highly regarded in Thailand.
Relations between Thailand and Malaysia are close especially in trade and tourism.
Last year, 1.5 million Malaysians visited Thailand while more than 900,000 Thais visited their southern neighbour. Malaysia is Thailand‘s fourth largest trading partner with a trade volume of US$14.96 billion.
At the government level, Thailand and Malaysia share five decades of achievement and co-operation. Relations have been cordial with common aspirations to live in peace and harmony.
The closeness is evident from the number of visits of the prime ministers and ministers as well as the number of firsts in bilateral relations. The Thailand-Malaysia Joint Commission is the first which Thailand has established with another country.
Malaysia is the first and only country with which Thailand has a Joint Development Area (JDA). The Joint Cabinet Retreat was also another first that both countries initiated before this initiative is expanded further to other countries.
The bilateral relations between Thailand and Malaysia are dynamic and vibrant. There were exchange of high-level visits and meetings since October, when General Surayud Chulanont (R), the prime minister of Thailand, visited Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visited Thailand from Feb 11 to 13, 2007. It was followed by the 10th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia in Bangkok in June.
August is a special month in particular. It is highlighted by the visit of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Srirasmi to join the people of Malaysia in celebrating the 50th anniversary of independence.
Moreover, the Thai prime minister visited Malaysia three times.
These occasions were the Global 2007 Langkawi International Dialogue on Aug 5, the official visit and the 3rd Annual Consultation between the prime ministers of Thailand and Malaysia from Aug 20 to 22 and Merdeka celebrations on Aug 30 and 31.
Sharing a common vision to create peace, prosperity and sustainable development, Thailand and Malaysia co-operate in many projects and endeavours. The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations is timely for Thailand and Malaysia to chart a future path together.
Among the priorities is the joint development of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia to improve the well being of residents. The Joint Development Strategy for border areas (JDS) and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) provide the framework for co-operation.
Projects include infrastructure development, human resource development and construction of transportation link such as the bridge across Golok River, linking Buketa in Narathiwat Province and Bukit Bunga in Kelantan, which construction began in January.
The two countries also work together in promoting education, employment and entrepreneurship to improve the standard of living of people along the border.
An example is the scholarship from the Malaysian government for Thai students to attend vocational training courses at GIATMARA in Malaysia.
Looking beyond bilateral cooperation, Thailand and Malaysia are both founding members of Asean. Together, they are working with other members in drafting the Asean Charter that would contribute to the ever closer integration of Asean.
Thailand and Malaysia are members of other frameworks including Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
Source: www.nst.com.my (7 September 2007)