President Lee Myung-bak will visit Thailand later this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Korea.
Speaking at the Korea-Thailand Friendship Concert held in Seoul Wednesday, Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat pitched an early welcoming message.
`I look forward to welcoming President Lee to Thailand later this year. I am particularly heartened by the fact that President Lee is quite familiar with Thailand, having spent time with Hyundai Thailand to supervise the construction of Petchkasem Road in the south of Thailand'', the prime minister said.
A year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary reached its peak Wednesday when Korean and Thai cultural performances took place in both countries at the same local time.
From Bangkok, came the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, presenting the unique music of Thailand. The program consisted of works by the Thai Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, a renowned musician.
The twenty-five-year-old Bankok Symphony Orchestra, which is under the Royal Patronage of the prince, played 16 works that are widely played and sung in Thailand.
Korea sent Korea Fantasy, a dance team to Bangkok.
Korean Minister of Culture Yu In-chon said, ``I do hope that on the foundation of the last 50 years of robust alliance, Korea and Thailand will further strengthen strategic partnerships in the fields of politics, diplomacy and economy as well as in culture, tourism and sports.''
Thai Ambassador to Korea Vasin Teeravechyan echoed the minister, wishing ever-growing exchange. For Teeravechyan, the anniversary celebration is the grand finale of his post in Korea, as he is leaving Korea in October. (confirm중).
The two countries also celebrated the issuance of anniversary stamps that evening. Korean stamps represented Changdeok Palace and Thailand Grand Palace Hall, also known as Chakri Mahaprasat Hall.
It was only Oct. 1, 1958 when Thailand and Korea first established diplomatic ties. Nevertheless, before that, the two witnessed building mutual interest for exchange.
As early as the late 14th century, there were exchanges of envoys between the Goryeo Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saiam. During the 1950-53 Korea War, Thai troops were one of the earliest foreign dispatches to arrive in Korea, consisting of more than 10,000 young men.
Now, Bangkok is one of the top tourism destinations for Koreans, and Thai's exposure to Korean culture and language becomes more visible in Thailand as do the growing number of Thais working in Korea.
As the concert came to an end, the rest of the year sees a handful of more celebratory events, such as a seminar on trade and investment in Korea; a science camp in Thailand; a visit of Thai war veterans to Korea in November during which a monument for Thai soldiers who fought during the Korean War will open at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. For more details and information for upcoming events, contact the embassy.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2008/10/176_32197.html