On the auspicious occasion of the ascension to the throne of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito on 1 May 2019, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, sent a congratulatory letter to H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan as follows:

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Excellency,

                  On behalf of the Royal Thai Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand, I have the honour to extend to Your Excellency, and through you, to the people of Japan, my heartfelt congratulations on the auspicious occasion of the accession to the throne of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan, marking the beginning of Japan’s new imperial era, “Reiwa”.

                  On this very special occasion, allow me the privilege to express that, throughout the Heisei Period, His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus reigned as the pillar of the nation over a great period of peace and prosperity. As a longstanding friend and regional partner of Japan, Thailand celebrates the special bonds between our two nations, which have flourished for centuries, and are extraordinarily accentuated by the close friendship between the two Royal Families, as well as the unique ties of goodwill, understanding, and fellowship between our peoples.

                  As Thailand and Japan mark 132 years of diplomatic relations this year, I take this opportunity to commend our comprehensive and long-standing bilateral relationship, and convey our very best wishes for Japan’s continued lasting peace, harmony, and prosperity under the reign of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito. It is with this overarching spirit of felicitations and auspiciousness that I extend to the people of Japan, our most cordial salutations on the beginning of the Reiwa Period.

                  Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

                                                          General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.)

                                                   Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand