H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Al Habbash, Advisor to the President of the State of Palestine on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations and Supreme Judge of Shareia Courts of the State of Palestine, visited the Kingdom of Thailand as guest of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, between 30 April – 5 May 2017. The visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and followed up on several issues including cooperation in the area of religious affairs. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Habbash met with Muslim communities in Bangkok and Ayutthaya Provinces to raise awareness and understanding on solidarity and unity between people of different faiths living in Thailand.

 

During the visit, H.E. Mr. Habbash paid a courtesy call on H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Mr. Aziz Phitakkumpon, Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, and met with H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Both sides discussed ways to further enhance cooperation and strengthen relations between Thailand and Palestine, especially in capacity building. In this regard, Thailand and Japan will co-host the 3rd Ministerial Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestine Development in 2017.

 

In addition, H.E. Mr. Habbash visited Ayutthaya Province, where he took note of the positive environment of the multi-cultural community that included Buddhists, Christians and Muslims. During his visit to Ayutthaya Province, H.E. Mr. Habbash reiterated that a true Muslim must be a good citizen and must not act in such a way that could lead to conflict within the community or the country. Moreover, he reiterated that Islam does not support the use of violence and does not condone radicalism. 

 

H.E. Mr. Habbash also visited Lumplee sub-district of Ayutthaya Province to observe the implementation of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and its positive impact on the local community as well as the International Center of Thailand at Bangsai sub-district, Ayutthaya Province, which helps promote local arts and crafts in the international market, and commended the application of SEP by local communities in ecouraging local resilience, self-reliance and sustainability. H.E. Mr. Habbash commented that he would implement SEP in Palestine in order to enhance the well-being of Palestinians.

 

Thailand recognised the State of Palestine on 24 November 2011 and established diplomatic relations on 1 August 2012. The Royal Thai Embassy in Amman has been assigned to look after bilateral relations between the two countries, while the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has been tasked with the same responsibility.