BANGKOK – The relations between the Philippines and Thailand remain “very warm and close” with bilateral trade volume increasing in the past seven decades.
Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon has highlighted the robust diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations ahead of President Duterte’s arrival in Bangkok yesterday for a three-day visit.
The President is scheduled to attend the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in the Thai capital this weekend. Duterte’s visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Thailand this year.
“This year we are celebrating our 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Philippines, when the Treaty of Friendship was signed in Washington D.C. on 14 June 1949…Since then, we have enjoyed warm and cordial friendly relations between our two countries and our two peoples,” Aragon said.
“Our relations have been very warm and close. Also, our trade relations, our trade has been increasing,” she said.
In 2018, total trade between the Philippines and Thailand reached $10.32 billion with a trade balance of $4.89 billion in favor of Thailand. Thailand is also ranked seventh among the Philippines’ export markets valued at $2.72 billion and ranked fifth as supplier at $7.61 billion
“Last year, it has reached the level of over $10 billion and we are happy to host several top Thai companies in the Philippines and there are also several Philippine companies that are based here in Thailand,” the ambassador said.
Among the Filipino firms operating in Thailand are San Miguel Corp., Monde Nissen Co. Ltd., Monaco International Co. Ltd., Thai Liwayway Food Industries, Great Eastern Drug Co. Ltd., Universal Robina Corp., Goldilocks Bake Shop Co. Ltd., and Top Blend International Co. Ltd.
Bilateral trade reached $9.499 billion in 2017, with exports hitting $2.7 billion and imports $6.7 billion.
Aragon also cited that Philippine-Thailand close friendly relations have been marked by several high-level visits, including royal visits.
Back in 1963, she said His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother visited the Philippines, paving the way for many of the Thai nationals to study in different universities in the Philippines.
“We believe that what they have learned from us especially in the agricultural sector has helped their development of the kingdom, especially agriculture which was very close to the heart of King Rama IX,” she said. (Genalyn Kabiling)