I. Diplomatic relations
Greece established diplomatic relations with Thailand on 26 May 1958. The Greek Embassy in Bangkok was only opened in November 1989.
We have very good diplomatic relations with Thailand on both the bilateral and multilateral levels within international organizations and conferences, foremost among them the ASEM (Asia- Europe Meeting).
The establisment of an Honorary Consulate in Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) and the appointment of Mr George Sioris, Ambassador Emeritus as Honorary Consul, is expected to further strengthen consular and diplomatic ties with Thailand.
II. Treaty Framework
Greece and Thailand have signed an Education agreement and are currently negotiating a Maritime agreement, an Agreement on the reciprocal abolition of diplomatic visas, an Agreement on economic, scientific and technical cooperation, an Agreement on the mutual protection and promotion of investments and, finally, a Memorandum on cooperation in the tourism sector.
III. Political relations
The distance between the two countries, added to their different priorities which naturally tend to focus on their immediate geographical areas, might potentially hamper the development of political relations between Greece and Thailand, but there is the will on both sides to extend our ties.
Thailand supported Greeces candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
On 23 January 2005 Thailand established diplomatic relations with FYROM under its constitutional name.
Last year two Greek officials visited Thailand. The first was the Minister for the Development of Tourism, Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos, from 9-11 July 2004. As a guest of his Thai counterpart he officially opened a number of events organized by the Greek Embassy in Bangkok to promote Greek culture and tourism on the occasion of the Olympic Games.
The second visit by a Greek official took place in November 2004 when the Minister for Macedonia and Thrace, Mr. Nikos Tsiartsionis, visited Thailand as the minister responsible for promoting Greeces bid to host EXP 2008. During his stay Mr. Tsiartsionis met with the Thai Minister for Trade and briefed him on the Greek candidacy.
IV. Economic and trade relations
In 2004 Greece and Thailand traded goods to the value of US$215m. Thai exports to Greece (vehicles, air-conditioning units, precious stones and jewellery, frozen goods) amounted to $196.3m, while imports from Greece (mainly manufacturing machinery, agricultural produce, chemical products) amounted to US$18.6m . Greece thus had a trade deficit with Thailand of US$177.7m.
In 2004 the Bangkok Embassys Consular Office issued 2031 tourist visas (Schengen), and 187 national visas.
V. Cultural relations
Last year the Bangkok Embassy organized a series of cultural events (9-18.07.2004) to promote Greek culture and tourism and the Olympic Games. Greece participated in the 13th European Film Festival with the film Sweet Dreams, and in the 1st European Educational Fair, attended by delegations from 96 universities from 18 EU countries. Greece was represented by the University of Ioannina. Greece also participated in the 14th European Film Festival with the film Fear the Greeks.
Finally, the Bangkok Embassy arranged for a Greek philologist to visit Thailand in order to teach Greek language and civilization courses at Ramhamhaeng University, which has a Chair of Modern Greek Studies, currently held by Mrs. Usa Korntaptim. The visit lasted a fortnight (15-30.09.2005) and was greatly appreciated by the academic community. As a result the possibility of seconding a Greek philologist on an annual basis is now being contemplated.
VI. Greek community
There is really no Greek community as such in Thailand; of the 50 or so resident Greeks the majority are employed by foreign multinationals and are temporarily in Thailand on professional grounds. A very small number of Greeks are permanently established in Thailand, involved in local business activities and having entered into mixed marriages.
VII. Bangkok Embassy details