Diplomatic journey of 70+ years
An exclusive interview of H.E. Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong, Ambassador of Thailand to Islamabad, Pakistan.
By Amjad Mehmood Photos by Raja Farid
Thailand, officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand with its historical name of Siam until 1939), is a beautiful country in Southeast Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula. Spanning over 513,120 square kilometers (198,120 square miles). The country has an estimated population of 70 million with its borders in the northwest with Myanmar, northwest with Laos, Southeast with Cambodia, in the south with the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and in the southeast with the Andaman Sea. The country also shares maritime borders with Vietnam to the southeast and Indonesia and India to the southwest. Bangkok is the capital and largest city of Thailand. Thailand is a middle power in global affairs and a founding member of ASEAN, and it ranks very high on the Human Development Index. It has the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 23rd-largest in the world. Thailand ranks 91st by nominal GDP per capita and is classified as a newly industrialized economy, with manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism as leading sectors.
Pakistan has decades-long strong diplomatic ties with Thailand and both countries give value to relationships by mutually supporting each other at global forums. Considering the valuable diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Thailand, Daily The Spokesman arranged an exclusive interview with H.E. Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong, Ambassador of Thailand to Islamabad, Pakistan. Mr. Naveed Ahmed Khan, Editor, Daily Spokesman/Daily Imrooz and Tazeen Akhtar, Editor, Pakistan in World (Magazine) conducted this interview jointly.
While sharing his thoughts about Thailand & Pakistan’s bilateral relations, he said both countries always enjoyed friendly and fruitful relationships. Thailand and Pakistan celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations in the year 2021 (since October 1951) as both countries have strong foundations of bilateral ties. This relationship feels like spanning over thousands of years. He said the global pandemic halted life around the world as it was a big challenge but life is back to normal and right now both states’ bilateral relations are in an excellent phase. He added despite several challenges over the past few years of COVID-19 and global economic downturn, both countries have taken new initiatives including on the political front when H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Islamabad to participate in the OIC ministerial meeting. His visit also included a political consultation meeting. Also, Thai military personnel have attended the Pakistan Army Team Spirits (PATS) exercise for the second year. Sharing details about economic ties, he said our mutual trade has reached a historical highest point of 1.8 billion dollars in 2022, and Thai investments in Pakistan expanded to benefit the local business community. He added that the Thai embassy took Pakistani businessmen from the major Chamber of Commerce and Industries to THAIFEX 2023, which is one of Asia’s largest food and beverage trade fairs. For people-to-people contact, a Thai Festival in Lahore in 2022 was arranged which was attended by more than 10,000 people. He said Thai Airways resumed flights to Thailand from Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi after COVID-19 and it is scheduled that the Bangkok-Lahore route will increase from 5 flights weekly to 6 flights weekly soon. He informed that currently around 70,000 Pakistani tourists travel to Thailand and similarly more Thai people are traveling to Pakistan as tourists. He said to promote Thai tourism in Pakistan, a famous Pakistani YouTuber, Mr. Mubashir was sponsored to visit Thailand and share his experience with other Pakistani nationals. He said Thai wall truck art is equally famous in Pakistan and Thailand. Sharing the details of cooperation on multilateral forums, the ambassador informed that the Thai embassy is expanding cooperation with the United Nations (UN) by organizing a training program for women to become home-based chefs of Thai food. Also, the activity included organizing a seminar on women’s empowerment.
“Pakistan-Thailand current bilateral ties are in an excellent phase”
H.E. Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong expressing his affection for Pakistan and Pakistani people said this is his second term on the diplomatic mission and he always gives a special place to Pakistan in his heart. He appreciated the hosting standards for embassy staff in Pakistan from the government of Pakistan. He vowed to work wholeheartedly for our people at the Royal Thai Embassy Pakistani people at the Royal Thai embassy as he believed that foreign affairs must remain beneficial for the people of both countries.
Further talking about the key areas of cooperation and potential growth between the two nations, he said with his team he visited several places in Pakistan to see the untapped areas and opportunities to advance the bilateral ties. He added there are plenty of opportunities available to increase economic cooperation as there are many Pakistani products that can grasp the Thai markets. He said the arrangement of Trade fairs between both countries is a good option to showcase the product of mutual interest and to increase the volume of businesses. He commented that an early decision on the Thailand-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement is very significant to boosting bilateral trade. Talking about the investment opportunities, he said CP and AMG-Thai Union have already made notable investments in Pakistan, particularly in agro-industry and shrimp feed. He added that opportunities exist to encourage further investments and diversification into additional sectors such as fruit processing, and fisheries, which can strengthen economic relations and contribute to shared prosperity. He said there is scope for joint ventures in Thailand in the technology sector and Thai Tech companies can utilize Pakistan’s IT personnel and their experience through business outsourcing units.
Thailand is considered a dream destination for tourism with its vibrant culture, sharing his thoughts about the Thai Tourism sector, H.E. Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong said tourism is one of the key elements in the economic development of Thailand. However, there is much more to do for the promotion of tourism by creating understanding, and expansion of further opportunities for positive image building which can be achieved through the use of social media and influential social media stars. He said sharing the best practices and socio-cultural norms help to allure the global tourists. He added hospitality is generally considered the backbone of the tourism industry and the stakeholders associated with the tourism industry should be trained on a professional scale. He said cross-cultural shows between both countries can augment the tourism opportunities in Pakistan and Thailand. He informed the Thai Culinary Institute will arrange a special lecture on Thai hospitality and tourism this year in Pakistan. Sharing useful tips for the promotion of tourism in Pakistan he said, cultural and museum exchange programs, heritage preservation, and the development of civilizations are tangible practices to promote the tourism industry. He said Thai people residing in Pakistan can play a pivotal role as cultural ambassadors and in a similar fashion Pakistanis in Thailand can perform the same role.
“Our bilateral trade touches to record high of $2 billion in 2022”
While talking about the promotion of bilateral trade, the ambassador said ongoing negotiations for the Pakistan-Thailand Free Trade Agreement is a major step to boost trade relations. The conclusion of this agreement is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing trade barriers and facilitating increased commerce between the two countries. He said facilitation for the business community is a vital element that helps in trade promotion. He said the government of Pakistan’s initiative of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) would help to boost the trade between both countries. He said this is a strategic measure to simplify and expedite trade processes, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing the efficiency of cross-border trade. He further said that Thailand is actively promoting investments in Pakistan, and notable companies like CP, Thailand’s largest Agro-Industry, have expanded their investments in areas such as chicken feed in Lahore. He said there is potential for collaboration in agriculture, livestock farming, and agri-business sectors. The existing investment volumes in chicken feed and shrimp feed with CP and AMG-Thai Union hinted at the potential for growth in this sector. He pointed out that connectivity and infrastructure help to boost trade between the two states and considering its worth, a land-bridge initiative on the Thai side would be a significant addition therefore, options may be explored under the mega project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
H.E. Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong while sharing his thoughts about the global focus on sustainability and environmental protection challenge said climate change is a common challenge therefore, the Thai government stresses working together at mutual, regional, and global forums to counter the challenge amicably. He said both Thailand and Pakistan faced natural disasters such as heavy flooding last year. He added that Thailand along with the international community has given financial assistance to Pakistan for rehabilitation efforts for flood-hit areas. He said there is a need to address the root cause of the problem. Sharing the example from Thailand, he said we have adopted the sufficiency economy philosophy, an approach to life coined by His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej which is also continued by the current King with the same spirit. Explaining further he said, these practices are aimed at assisting the people at the grassroots level who are otherwise suffering and seriously affected by climate change up to the survival stage. Sharing details about the Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model he said, the Thailand International Cooperation Agency has been providing training and workshops both online and physical with participants from around the world including Pakistan. This training program enables the participants to take short and long-term measures to minimize climate change’s negative impacts.
“There is a dire need to view security challenges with an unconventional lens”
On an inquiry about regional stability and security for the promotion of peace and stability in the region, the ambassador while sharing his perspective said, he intends to view security in an unconventional way that involves political, economic, and social security which can bring sustainable peace and stability in true sense. He said with the end of the Cold War, regional cooperation was expanded in the form of the EU, ASEAN, BRICS, and BRI. He added each of these regional groupings was based on mutual benefits in politics and economics creating a safety net for security and peace. He wished that all regional groups around the globe should work more towards economic security which will lead to shared prosperity. He said in power competition, a small or medium-sized country should not be pressured to choose a certain block, rather such states should be given equal opportunities to work together for the benefit of the world and mankind. Expressing the standpoint of the government of Thailand, he said our country is a friend to all countries and always looks forward to working together. Talking about relationships with Pakistan, he said Pakistan is an important country in the region with its unique strategic importance. Both Thailand and Pakistan can further enhance cooperation in areas that Pakistan has strength in such as counter-terrorism, and intelligence sharing. Additionally, he said both Thailand and Pakistan can jointly contribute to peacekeeping operations.
While talking about Thailand’s key role in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Pakistan’s potential role in the forum H.E. Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong said Thailand sees and commends Pakistan’s efforts to enhance engagement with ASEAN. Appreciating Pakistan’s initiatives such as holding digital financing workshops and training programs for ASEAN diplomats, and opening ASEAN Corner at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), he said such actions give a significant identity to Pakistan at this forum. Sharing further details about activities under the ASEAN-Pakistan Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, he said Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2024-2028 will serve as a framework and practical guide in achieving shared goals in political security by combatting national crimes, economic cooperation by advancing trade, investment, and promotion of tourism, socio-cultural cooperation in education, youth development sectors, disaster management, and health sectors. He emphasized that Pakistan with its decades-long experience in the fields of counterterrorism, and intelligence sharing can play a pivotal role in ASEAN.
“Pakistani youth has talent to shine on global horizons”
In the end, H.E. Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong congratulated the newly elected government in Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and expressed high hopes for mutually working in the areas of common interest between Pakistan and Thailand. He stated that both nations share tourism as a major strength and that by working together and providing support, they can both maximize the benefits of growing the tourism industry and strengthening their economies. He expressed his sincere love for the people of Pakistan and concluded that they are very brilliant and diligent people who, with hard work and commitment, can make their country proud around the world.