Speech for the birthday of King Bhumibol Aduyadej and National Day of Thailand

Chargé d'Affaires Mr Nontawat Chandrtri; members of the Royal Thai Embassy, and representatives of the Thai community in New Zealand; Your Excellencies and members of the Diplomatic Corps; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Today is an important day for Thailand. It marks the 82nd birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Aduyadej and the National Day of Thailand. 

His Majesty is a highly revered figure. New Zealanders well appreciate the respect and admiration that the people of Thailand have for their King.  We recognise that he fulfils an important role in Thai national life.

On this occasion we reaffirm the strength of New Zealand's relationship with Thailand.  It is one of our oldest relationships in Asia. It originally centred on a common interest in the stability of the region after World War 2, and more formally dates back to 1954 when the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO), of which both countries were members, was established. Indeed, it was in Bangkok that SEATO's headquarters were located until its dissolution.

The initial relatively narrow security focus has been expanded. We now enjoy a broad-based relationship with rapid growth in people-to-people links.  Tourism and education are particular areas of strength. There are currently over 2,600 Thai students studying in New Zealand. 

Some 20,000 Thai tourists visited New Zealand in the past 12 months and about 90,000 New Zealanders visit Thailand each year.  Thailand is a prime holiday destination for many New Zealanders: they enjoy the richness of Thai culture and the warmth of the Thai people.  And of course, the cuisine is legendary. 

Thailand continues to have a strong economic base, and our bilateral trade is underpinned by the Closer Economic Partnership.  Thailand is New Zealand's twelfth largest trading partner worldwide, and we see a bright future for the trading relationship.

The development of initiatives such as the ASEAN-Australia New Zealand Free Trade Area has the potential to expand these economic links in new and exciting directions.

Looking beyond trade, Thailand is an important friend to New Zealand in Southeast Asian regional affairs. Our future is closely linked with your region, and we have valued the important role Thailand has played in 2009 as Chair of ASEAN.  Our Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Trade have all appreciated the opportunity to attend regional meetings in Thailand over the past year. 

Regional institutions and processes are evolving rapidly. They are playing an increasingly important part in the way Southeast Asian affairs are conducted, and also in the way that Southeast Asia relates to the wider Asian region and the rest of the world.

The links that New Zealand has with Southeast Asia are extremely important to us. We look forward to our close co-operation with Thailand continuing and growing. 

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I now invite you to join me in a toast to His Majesty the King of Thailand.