Ordinario, Kate Wynsleth C.

BAPoS-3

Basic facts.
The post of Prime Minister is currently held by retired general Prayut Chan-o-cha, since the coup
d'état on 22 May 2014.
Thailand (meaning Land of the Free), or Siam ,the country’s name used until the year 1949.
Bangkok (or Krung Thep, in Thai, which means City of Angel)
Location- It is located centrally in Southeast Asia with both extensive Pacific coasts (Gulf of
Thailand) and Indian Ocean (Andaman Sea). It shares borders with Myanmar (Burma) to the
west and northwest, the Lao PDR to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the south and east, and
Malaysia to the south. Thailand occupies an area of 514,000 square kilometers (319,194 square
miles). Its population is 70,043,133, making it the sixteenth largest country in the world.
Population and ethnic groups- Though not as culturally diverse as other Southeast Asian
countries, such as Myanmar, Laos, or Indonesia, Thailand has, nevertheless, considerable ethnic
diversity. The three major groups are ethnic Thais (roughly 45 percent), Thais of Lao-Isan
(northeast) ethnicity (roughly 30 percent), and Sino-Thais (roughly 14 percent) who are
generally well-assimilated. Among the other three major ethnic groups are diverse hill peoples in
the north and west such as the Hmong and Karen, Islamic Malay peoples in the southernmost
four provinces of Thailand, and Khmer-Thais in the lower part of the northeast.

Currency-  Notes are in 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (red), 500 baht (purple), and
1,000 baht (brown) denominations. The exchange rates against the US dollars averaged out at
31.0 baht to US$ 1 in 2012. Coins are valued at 25 and 50 satangs (brass-colored), 1 baht
(nickel), 2 baht (brass/nickel), 5 baht (nickel with copper rim), and 10 baht (nickel with a brass
center).

Language- Thai is the national and official language.  It is a tonal language with different
dialects. Its script was created in 1283 by King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of the Sukhothai
Kingdom. Other languages spoken include Chinese and Malay. English, a compulsory subject of
secondary school curricula, is widely spoken and understood throughout the country.
TRIVIA 2: Thailand is indeed the land of free because  It this country is the sole country in the
whole of South-East Asia to never have been colonized by any European nation. Considering
that only very few countries in the world have managed to escape European rule, this in itself is a
huge accomplishment.
TRIVIA 3- This was due to the many original buildings that were built on stilts over the Chao
Phraya River as well as the many meandering canals that were a significant factor in Bangkok’s
trading activities. Although there are still a fair number of pretty canals in the capital for tourists
and locals to enjoy boat rides along, due to the fact that Bangkok grew larger in time, the
majority of canals were filled and paved and have become streets and pavements today.

Historical Background
a. on 14 June 1949 that formal relations between the Republic of the Philippines (as an
independent sovereign nation) and the Kingdom of Thailand began, upon the signing of
the Treaty of Friendship in Washington D.C.
The Philippines and Thailand then established legations at each other’s capitals in 1949,
which were eventually elevated to embassy status on 1 January 1956. From then on, relations
between the two countries strengthened and flourished. Both became founders of SEATO in
September 1954 and ASEAN in August 1967, and thereafter joined other regional and
international fora. Cooperation likewise expanded beyond trade and culture to cover political,
defense, investment, tourism, air services, scientific and technical, telecommunications,
agriculture, justice and environment, among others.
b. In 1999, as the Philippines and Thailand celebrated 50 years of cordial, harmonious and
dynamic friendship, the Philippines renamed Rada Street as Thailand Street in the
bustling business district of Makati, while Thailand opted to have Soi Philippines
(Philippine Street) at the corner where the Philippine Embassy is located along
Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok’s business center.

c. 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and
Thailand. Various commemorative activities were organized by the two Governments
through their respective missions in Bangkok and Manila. The visit of Her Royal
Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to the Philippines in June 2019, and the visit
of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to attend the ASEAN Summit in Thailand that same
month, highlighted the significance of this milestone.
Agreements

Treaty of Friendship between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Thailand,
designed to strengthen and perpetuate the friendly relations so happily existing between them
in a manner befitting their spiritual, cultural and economic ties, was concluded and signed by
the respective plenipotentiaries of the two Governments at Washington, D. C., on June
fourteen, nineteen hundred and forty-nine;
Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism Between the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand. (Manila, 24 March 1993)
The agreement is about to explore ways to further enhance tourism cooperation, including
identifying specific activities to pursue this such as the promotion of joint tourist
destinations.
Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Republic of the
Philippines and the Kingdom of Thailand (Bangkok, 11 April 1983). Promote exchanges
of joint academic research and development, scientists and specialists, technical
documentation and information, and the arrangement of bilateral conferences among other
activities.

Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the
Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Agricultural Cooperation (Manila, 29
August 1979) Implementing Arrangement on Specific Areas of Cooperation between the
Department of Livestock Development (DLD) of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives on the Kingdom of Thailand and the DA – Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) of
the Republic of the Philippines on Swamp and Dairy Buffalo Production.”
The Philippines and Thailand “agreed to further promote cooperation and exchange of best
practices in irrigation, artificial rain, livestock and fisheries and the application of technology
for sustainable soil and water conservation.”

Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation

between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the
Kingdom of Thailand (Bangkok, 24 August 1992) Aims to further strengthen
comprehensive cooperation and nurture the dynamic bilateral relations between the two close
neighboring countries. “Towards a Resilient and Sustainable Recovery Together”. It is serve
as an important opportunity for both sides to follow up on the progress made in various areas
of cooperation and push forward cooperation in new areas that will bring about tangible
benefits for the peoples of both countries and in support of efforts by Thailand and Lao PDR
to achieve a strong, resilient and sustainable economic and social recovery from the COVID-
19 pandemic.
 Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the
Government of the Kingdom of Thailand for the Promotion and Protection of
Investments (Manila, 30 September 1995) The Government of the Republic of the
Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, hereinafter referred to as
"Contracting Parties". Considering the Agreement among the Governments of Brunei
Darussalam, the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, the
Republic of Singapore and the Kingdom of Thailand for the Promotion and Protection of
Investments done in Manila on 15th December 1987, Desiring to intensify economic
cooperation between both countries, Intending to create favourable condition for investments
by nationals and companies of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting
Party. Recognising that the encouragement and protection of such investments under this
Agreement will be conducive to the stimulation of individual business initiative and will
increase prosperity in both countries, convinced of the friendly and cooperative relations
existing between both Contracting Parties,

Issues

The Philippines and Thailand had a dispute regarding taxation of the former's cigarette exporter
doing business in the latter. The issue has been raised to the World Trade Organization. In 2008,
the Philippines has expressed that Thailand violated WTO law on Customs violation by
imposing an allegedly discriminatory tax on cigarette exports by Philip Morris Philippines.
Thailand alleged that the export's Customs value were under-declared with the allegation
declared illegal under the WTO's Customs Valuation Agreement (CVA). Three panel rulings of
the WTO has ruled in favor of the Philippines.

The Philippines got disappointed and discriminated when a Thai Newspaper called Thai Rath
headline saying Filipino teachers had arrived in Bangkok from “the land of Covid-19.” The
Philippine embassy was reacting on the issue that Philippines was reportedly branded as the land
of Covid. Human rights advocates have warned against the rise of xenophobia or racial
discrimination against people of countries with rising cases of COVID-19.

References:
https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1524/Thailand-HISTORY-BACKGROUND.html
https://thaiembdc.org/about-thailand/thailand-in-brief/
https://bangkokpe.dfa.gov.ph/about-us/overview-of-phils-and-thailand-realations