SOCIETY 368 / 2015
Nr. 368 I Nr. 2 - 2015
Nr. 368 I Nr. 2 - 2015
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DIPLOMATIE<br />
THAILAND<br />
Austria and Thailand<br />
share a long history of<br />
diplomatic relations.<br />
<strong>SOCIETY</strong> spoke to H.E.<br />
Arthayudh Srisamoot,<br />
the Thai Ambassador to<br />
Austria, about existing<br />
trade cooperations and<br />
the importance of fighting<br />
drug trafficking.<br />
INTERVIEW: TANJA TAUCHHAMMER<br />
Since when do diplomatic relations<br />
between Austria and Thailand exist?<br />
Diplomatic relations started between<br />
the Austro-Hungarian Empire<br />
and the Kingdom of Siam, more specifically<br />
with the Treaty of Friendship and Navigation.<br />
The Treaty was signed in 1869 and in 1878<br />
the two countries exchanged Ambassadors for<br />
the first time.<br />
What kinds of relations exist between Austria<br />
and Thailand? Can you name a few projects?<br />
We host many group visits – Thailand is an<br />
emerging country. It is the 20th largest economy<br />
in the world. Many study visits take place here:<br />
Austria’s court and justice system is of great interest<br />
to Thai officials. Recently, I had the President<br />
of the Thai Constitution Court and Supreme<br />
Court meet with the Austrian President of the<br />
Constitution Court. Before that, we had a group<br />
of visitors from the anti-corruption agencies of<br />
Thailand. The former Prime Minister of Thailand<br />
also came on a study trip; many people come here<br />
to meet with their counter parts. We are also interested<br />
in water management and sustainable<br />
development. Engineering and medical services<br />
are also often looked at. Siemens Graz for instance<br />
was building some of the locomotive sections<br />
for the sky train in Bangkok that has been<br />
running for 20 years now. In addition, we have<br />
the Red Bull cooperation. The popular energy<br />
drink originated in Thailand, where it is called<br />
Krating Daeng (Thai for Red Bull). In 1982, Didi<br />
Mateschitz travelled to Thailand, discovered it<br />
there and brought it back to Europe. It is a little<br />
stronger in Asia to suit the Asian consumers. ➢<br />
<strong>SOCIETY</strong> 2_<strong>2015</strong> | 37