National Message
Ambassador Sibille de Cartier d’Yves
Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium to Thailand
On the National Day of Belgium, and as my departure from Thailand is getting closer, I am honoured to share with your readers some reflections on Belgium in Thailand and on the four years I have spent in this beautiful country.
Belgium and Thailand have longstanding ties. Last year, we celebrated 155 years of bilateral relations. It was an opportunity to renew the signage on one of the proud symbols of our bond, the Thai-Belgian bridge in Bangkok, which was donated by Belgium in 1988. This year also marks the 120th anniversary of Belgium's permanent presence in Bangkok. Belgium was among the first countries to establish an Embassy here. Our beautiful residence is another landmark of our presence in Thailand and we will soon celebrate one hundred years of occupancy. The upkeep of this precious architectural and historical heritage is both a privilege and a duty. With the great support of my art-loving husband, we have, among others, fully renewed its furniture, using high-quality Belgian design produced in Thailand, such as Royal Botania outdoors and Tendercool indoors. A partnership with NongNooch Pattaya has also allowed us to upgrade the residence’s extraordinary garden, an oasis of greenery in the middle of the city
The friendship between our two royal households is of course the main pillar of this friendly bilateral relation. I was very honoured to be granted a farewell audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen last week, which allowed me to thank them for Thailand's hospitality towards me and my family.
A meeting between the Belgian and Thai prime ministers early this year set a new milestone in our bilateral relations. We also had the opportunity to reflect on our partnership during bilateral consultations that took place a few weeks afterwards.
Many Belgian companies have investments or offices in Bangkok, and our bilateral trade has increased to three billion euros, more than before the Covid crisis. I am thrilled by the idea that the announced resumption of the direct Thai Airways flights between Bangkok and Brussels at the end of this year will facilitate both business and people-to-people exchanges. Indeed, our relationship is strengthened day-by-day by tourists, students, academics, businessmen and ordinary citizens. I am especially proud to see the progress that has been made in our academic cooperation these last few years, in particular through the mutual recognition of engineering curricula by some of our universities.
We have also taken various initiatives to support our common agenda on human rights. From awareness raising on gender-based violence by means of a bike event to supporting marriage equality, Belgium has also emphasised its commitment to the values it believes in, in a constructive manner.
On the cultural front, many initiatives have been taken or supported these last few years. The last one was our street art project. I am full of admiration when I look at the beautiful murals by Belgian and Thai artists in Song Wat Road. Involving schools in the project has been very rewarding.
On a personal level, as Ambassador accredited to Thailand as well as Cambodia and the Lao PDR, and as Ambassador-designate to Myanmar, these four years have allowed me and my family to travel around the country and region. I have been amazed by the natural treasures of Thailand, from paradise-like beaches in the south to breath-taking landscapes in the north and the west of the country. I have admired the attention to detail and beauty that is put in every single gesture. But more importantly we have made many friends whom we will dearly miss.
On Belgium’s National Day, I wish HM Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, King of Thailand, and HM Philippe, King of the Belgians, good health and happiness and I extend my best wishes for the welfare and prosperity of both our countries and peoples.
