Israel–Thailand relations

Israel-Thailand relations

Israel
Thailand

Israel–Thailand relations refers to diplomatic and cultural ties between the State of Israel and Thailand. The countries have had official relations since June 1954. The Israeli embassy in Bangkok was established in 1958.[1] Since 1996, Thailand has had an embassy in Tel Aviv.[2] Thailand and Israel share a close and friendly relatinship, and cooperate on many fields. People-to-people relations between the two countries are also good, as thousands of Thais are employed in Israel, and millions of Israelis have visited and continue to visit Thailand. While most Israelis are not familiar with the Thai language, many Thais are familiar with Hebrew either due to their time spent as migrant workers in Israel, or by coming in touch with Israeli tourists. In most touristic areas in Thailand, Hebrew words and phrases are widely used by the locals.

History

On 28 December 1972, a four-member commando of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September invaded the Israeli embassy in Bangkok and held the ambassador and several of his guests as hostages. Two Thai government members, Dawee Chullasapya and Chatichai Choonhavan, who was then deputy foreign minister and became prime minister in 1988, along with the Egyptian ambassador to Thailand, Mustapha el Assawy, negotiated the release of the hostages and instead offered themselves and a number of other Thai officials as surety for the terrorists' safe conduct to Cairo. Then Israeli prime minister Golda Meir praised the Thai government for their diplomacy which made for a bloodless end of the crisis.[3]

In January 2004, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn inaugurated a joint Israeli-Thai agro-technology experimental farm for irrigation of high value crops at Khon Kaen University. There is a Thai-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Thai-Israel Friendship Foundation as well as a small community of Israelis living in Thailand.[4] After the floods in 2011, Israel sent water management experts to Thailand. Princess Chulabhorn Mahidal is involved in advancing scientific cooperation between the two countries. In 2012 the two countries signed a Trade Agreement. The Thai ambassador to Israel is Jukr Boon-Long. The Israeli ambassador to Thailand is Simon Roded.[5]

Thailand's policy regarding the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is generally very fair and balanced. Thailand has recognized Palestine in 2012.[6] During operation protective edge the Thai government stated that it supports a peaceful solution to the conflict and called on both sides to show restraint.[7] It further stated that it will continue to support both Israel and Palestine but will not condone any terrorist activity made by either side.[8]

Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations for Israelis, and Israel became extremely popular for Thai migrant workers. Thousands of Thais are employed in Israel in agriculture and in Asian restaurants as cooks.

On September 2014, the two countries signed a cooperation agreement.[9]

On July 2015, Israel and Thailand signed a medical cooperation agreement.[10]

A delegation from the Thailand industrial association visited Israel in 2015.[11]

Thai public is generally apathetic to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but the Muslim minority in the country, of nearly 4 million, is generally very hostile to Israel.[12][13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Israel embassy in Bangkok
  2. ↑ Thai embassy in Tel Aviv
  3. ↑ King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Life's Work, Editions Didier Millet, 2012, p. 126
  4. ↑ "The Virtual Jewish History Tour: Thailand". Jewishvirtuallibrary.org.
  5. ↑ Peres talks globalization, scientific cooperation with five new ambassadors, Jerusalem Post
  6. ↑ "Thailand officially recognizes Palestinian statehood".
  7. ↑ "Thai government statement of the Gaza war".
  8. ↑ "Thailand to continue to support both Israel and Palestine".
  9. ↑ "Israel and Thailand sign a cooperation agreement".
  10. ↑ "Thailand and Israel sign a medical cooperation agreement".
  11. ↑ "Thailand industrial association delegation visited Israel".
  12. ↑ "Thai Muslims protest against Israel".
  13. ↑ "Thai Muslims protest in Bangkok against Israeli military operation in Gaza".
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