Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met with H.E. Mrs. Helene Budliger Artieda, Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations, focusing on enhancing people-to-people relations, economic cooperation, education human resource development, clean energy and sustainable development as well as the plan for commemorative activities.

On 28 May 2021, H.E. Mrs. Helene Budliger Artieda, Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand, called on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Relations between Thailand and Switzerland. During the call, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand showed a video clip of H.E. Mr. Ignazio Cassis, Deputy President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, delivering well-wishing message to Thailand for this occasion. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand also delivered well-wishing message to the Swiss side in a video clip, which would be broadcasted in Bern on the same day.

Thailand and Switzerland established their diplomatic relations on 28 May 1931 with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce in Tokyo. Since then, the two countries have fostered and strengthened their bonds, with H.M. King Rama VIII and H.M. King Rama IX the Great spending their formative years in Switzerland. At present, the two countries have close people-to-people relations, robust trade and investment, as well as cooperation on education and human resource development.

Thailand and Switzerland are potential partners in the fields of clean energy and sustainable development, which fits Thailand’s Bio Circular Green Economic Model. Indeed, prior to the commemorative ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador of Switzerland signed with the Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Mrs. Raweewan Bhuridej) a Joint Statement on Climate Change Cooperation on Chao Phraya e-Ferry, which will pave way towards Swiss investment in e-buses in Thailand. Furthermore, the Ambassador of Switzerland came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an electric car, decorated especially for the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Thai-Swiss diplomatic relations. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also test-drived the vehicle.

Throughout 2021 the two sides have organised numerous commemorative activities of the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations, ranging from a launch of a website, an online water colour painting exhibiton, interviews with Thai and Swiss public figures, the inauguration of a Thai-Swiss friendship trail in Khao Yai, to the establishment of a learning center near the border in the North of Thailand.

Most recently, the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangkok, and Switzerland Tourism, has organized the photography contest under the theme: “90 Years of Thai-Swiss Relations: Fond Memories”. Photo enthusiasts can submit their work at www.rpst.or.th by 2 July 2021 at 18.00 hours. First prize include a return ticket to Switzerland and 10,000 baht in cash.