The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Thailand Post Company Limited organised a press conference on the launching of the commemorative stamp and book on relations between the Kingdom of Siam and the Ottoman Empire entitled “The Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Siam Through the Ages” on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Turkey. The event was held on Thursday the 17^th of May 2018 during 14.00-16.30 hrs on the first floor of the Grand Postal Building in Bangrak. H.E. Mr. Damrong Kraikruan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Naiyana Sirisuvun, Senior Executive Vice President of Thailand Post, and H.E. Ms. Evren Dağdelen Akgün, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Kingdom of Thailand, gave opening statements.

           Other activities during the event include as follows. Firstly, sales of the commemorative stamp on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Turkey, which was designed to present each country’s martial arts, namely Thai boxing and Turkish oil wrestling. Turkish oil wrestling is a Turkish martial art that has been practised for more than 650 years and is recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Secondly, the launching ceremony of the book entitled “The Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Siam Through the Ages”, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The book recounts the history of relations between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Siam since the Ayutthaya era, from trade and religious missions to interaction between Muslim communities in Siam and Turks. The book also includes rare photographs of visits to the Ottoman Empire by members of the Thai royal family. Thirdly, an exhibition on “Thailand-Turkey: 6 Decades of Friendship”, which will be displayed until 23 May 2018. Lastly, a seminar on the history of Thai-Turkish relations by eminent experts in this field.