Both countries persevere in the face of extraordinary challenges

Teisuke Kitayama
Chairman, Japan-Thailand BUSINESS FORUM

On behalf of the Japan Thailand Business Forum, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Royal Family and the people of Thailand on the auspicious occasion of the 84th birthday of His Majesty.

It has been a very difficult and unfortunate year for Thailand and Japan. Both countries experienced unprecedented disasters, and many lives were lost, and homes and livelihoods were destroyed. Thailand was badly hit by a massive flood covering the whole country and is still suffering damage. The northeastern part of Japan was devastated by an earthquake and a tsunami, which also caused an accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

In their time of extraordinary challenges, the people of Thailand and Japan have been praised and respected around the world for their strength, perseverance and positive attitudes. Furthermore, both countries and their people have been more than willing to offer their assistance and support to each other. Such warm and genuine gestures of people of both countries exemplify the close relationship between Thailand and Japan.

Thailand has always been gracious to welcome and accept Japan’s major manufacturing companies and their businesses, allowing them to build their overseas core business bases in Thailand. Since Thailand is a crucial manufacturing base and a key part of the supply chain of Japanese manufacturers, the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction of Thailand is essential for the reconstruction of the Japanese economy. The Japanese Embassy in Bangkok recently started issuing shortterm visas for Thai employees of Japanese companies to go to Japan and help manufacture their products.

There are many difficult challenges on the road to reconstruction for both Thailand and Japan; however, I am confident that the two countries will overcome the challenges by helping and supporting each other and because of the strength and spirit of their people.

The Japan-Thailand Business Forum (JTBF) was established in August 2002 under the patronage of the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo for the purpose of strengthening the relationship between Thailand and Japan. JTBF members are top executives of leading Japanese companies who have worked in Thailand, and current and former Thai government officials have honored us by becoming JTBF counselors and honorary counselors. As an organization dedicated to enhancing the relationship, between the two countries, we would like to contribute to the recovery and rebuilding of Thailand.

In closing, I would like to once again express my sincerest congratulations to His Majesty, the Royal Family and the people of Thailand for the auspicious occasion of the 84th birthday of His Majesty.