Surashete Boontinand, the chargé d’affaires at the Thai embassy, and senior embassy staff welcomed guests to the Kingdom of Thailand’s national day celebrations on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel. States and Frontier Regions Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch was invited as the chief guest.

In his speech, Mr Boontinand said that 2017 marked 65 years of cordial relations between Thailand and Pakistan. He underlined the important trade relations between the countries, and said that Thailand was the second largest export market for Pakistan in the region.

He also mentioned that Thailand’s important tourism industry drew attention to the wide range of cultural attractions in the country.

A number of Thai students from the International Islamic University Islamabad were also among the guests, evidence of educational links between both countries.

Following Mr Baloch’s speech, in which he underlined the cooperation between the two countries, a cultural troupe entertained guests with an elegant performance leading up to dinner. As could be expected on such a day, delicious Thai food was served alongside Pakistani dishes.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2017