On 15 September 2015, Mr. Igor Morgulov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, hosted a farewell lunch on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia for Dr. Itti Ditbanjong, Ambassador of Thailand to Russia at the MFA Mansion in Moscow. The Director of Asia 3 Department, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and diplomats from the Embassy of Thailand in Moscow were among the participants.

 

            The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia expressed his gratitude for the wonderful friendship Thailand has continuously offered to Russia, as well as welcomed and appreciated the Ambassador of Thailand’s essential role in tightening the bilateral relations between the two countries, which has continued for almost 120 years, to be even closer, more constructive and enhanced in all dimensions. While the Ambassador of Thailand expressed his appreciation for kindness and amity of Russia in attaching their importance in developing further cooperation in all areas with full determination, of which he wished for the relations to continue being extended significantly in the future. In addition, the Ambassador also mentioned the success of the Second Thai Festival in Moscow, which was organised to aim not only to introduce Thailand to wider audience in Russia, but also hope to invite more Russian tourists to visit the country up to 1.2 million within this year. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia agreed that there have been a large amount of Russians travelling to Thailand every year and they seem to be exceptionally fond the country, hence even though the current economic slowdown in Russia has discouraged some citizens to travel abroad, Thailand certainly will not see much less Russian tourists.

 

            Thailand and Russia will celebrate 120th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations in 2017. Russia has been active in enhancing the relations and developing cooperation with Thailand comprehensively, especially in trade, investment, tourism, science and technology, and education, as well as has encouraged constant exchanges of visits in all levels despite of the current political and economic instability in Russia.