Japan-Thailand Relations

1. General view
2. Diplomatic relations and treaties
3. Economy
4. Cultural Exchange
5. Personnel Exchange
6. Thai Students in Japan
7. Thai Academic Exchange
8. Japanese language study in Thailand
9. Visit by VIPs and Significant Events

Japan-Thailand Relations(Ministry of Foreign Affars of Japan)

1. General view

Thailand and Japan have long been maintaining a cordial relationship. Their links go back as far as 600 years ago, and the friendship between the two countries has been getting closer during recent years. In September 2007, Thailand and Japan celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited Thailand in June 2006.

Other recent Royal and VIP's visits are as follows:

A. The Thai-Japanese relationship continues to strengthen with mutual visits by VIP's. The active economic relationship has seen the increase of Japanese investment to Thailand. Due to Thailand's recent rapid economic development, grant assistance to Thailand has largely ended. However, Thailand is still one of the most important recipient countries for the Japanese Government's Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the field of technical assistance and yen loans.

B. Thai sentiment towards Japan is generally good. According to a Japanese poll in 6 ASEAN countries, "ASEAN Study VI" in November 2002 conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 89% of Thai people regard Japan as a friendly nation. Since the economic crisis in July 1997, Japan has been supporting Thailand at both government and business community levels and 69% of Thai people respond that Japan is "definitely" or "at a certain level" active enough in fulfill as an Asian country in its role in the development of Asia.

C. In the past, Japanese residents and tourists in Thailand were subjected to almost no crime but as their number increases, so the number of crimes in which Japanese nationals are victims has increased. This also includes minor crimes such as theft and fraud. The Consular Section of the Japanese Embassy has recently been engaged in more work for Japanese nationals who are taken into custody due to accident, death and disease. The number of protection of Japanese nationals is the most in the world continued from 1993.

2. Diplomatic relations and treaties

Establishment of diplomatic relations: 26 September 1887

Bilateral treaties and agreements (The dates of effectuation in parentheses):

• Civil Air Pact (14 July 1953)
• Cultural Accord (6 September 1955)
• Trade Agreement (1 January 1958)
• Tariffs Agreement (24 July 1963, amended on 31 August 1990)
• Agreement on Japan Overseas Volunteers Dispatch (19 January 1981)
• Agreement on Technical Cooperation (5 November 1981)

3. Economy

Overview

As regards trade between Japan and Thailand, Japan accounts for 14.8% of Thai exports and 24.7% of its imports (2000). According to the Board of Investment (BOI), Japanese direct investment to Thailand accounts for more than 50% of the total foreign investment to Thailand (2000). Japanese bilateral ODA accounts for 70-80% of the total assistance to Thailand from the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member countries.

A. Thailand is interested in attracting investment, trade, regional cooperation and so on. Japan has been supporting Thailand at the government and business sector levels despite the recent Asian economic crisis and Thailand highly appreciates Japanese support. The Thai Government has noticed the shortage of funds and expects Japanese support mechanisms such as the New Miyazawa Initiative to implement policies favorable for its economic recovery. Japanese government announced that 1.9 billion dollar will be pulled into Thailand.

b) Trade

Japan is the number one exporter to Thailand and number two importer after the United States. Conversely, Thailand accounts for 2.7% of Japanese total exports and 2.9% of its total imports (1999).

A. In general, Japan has been enjoying trade surplus from Thailand. Since the latter half of the 1980s, the economic development of Thailand and the rapid increase of direct investment from Japan increased Thai importation of capital goods and semi-finished products from Japan. However due to the current economic recession in Thailand, Thai imports from Japan has been decreasing since 1996. As a result of this, Thai trade deficit towards Japan decreased in the latter half of the 1990s. According to the recovery of Thai economy, export to Japan is increasing again.

B. Japanese exports to Thailand consist mainly of machine/machinery, metal/metal products and chemicals (the above-mentioned products account for 90% of total exports); on the other hand, Thai exports to Japan formerly consisted of food (e.g..... frozen shrimps, boneless chicken, sugar) and raw materials (e.g... natural rubber), but machine/machinery have recently taken an increasing share.

Trend in Thai trade balance(Value in one hundred million of US$)

c) Investment

Japanese investment to Thailand accounts for 1.2% of the total Japanese foreign investment around the world in 1998 and lies fourth in Asia after China, Singapore and Indonesia (fiscal year 1999). Japan is the number one investor in Thailand accounting for 40% of total foreign investment in Thailand in 2000 ahead of Singapore (22%) and the United States (11%).

A. In an effort to tackle the increase in value of the yen since September 1985, Japanese firms seeking a production base abroad began to invest on a large-scale in 1986. Since Thailand had sound investment conditions, Japanese investment to Thailand rapidly increased. Investment focuses on the field of export-oriented industries in the latter half of the 1980s and supporting industry in the first half of the 1990s.

B. Thailand welcomes investment from Japan, but Thailand wants to slow down investment to the Bangkok area and encourage more investment to rural areas.

Investment from Japan

4. Cultural Exchange

Thailand and Japan have been conducting a variety of cultural exchanges involving various elements of civil society including the private sector, state organizations and local administrative agencies. These have included culture, sports and youth exchanges. Of particular note have been the large cultural events arranged by the Japanese community in Thailand (in cooperation with the private and government sectors) to coincide with historic events in Thai-Japanese relations and important royal ceremonies of the Thai Royal Family. "Celebration for the Thai Royal Family and the Japanese Imperial Family in 1990" and the cultural events celebrating "the 60th (5th Cycle) Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday in 1992" are examples. Moreover a series of cultural events spanning many months were held to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 1996 of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne. These featured concerts, dancing, kyogen drama, and Ramwong Bong-Odori dance. The highlight was the Kabuki drama held from 31 August to 1 September 1996 which won great praise from the audience. In July 1999, the Jazz Piano & Taiko joint concert, in October, the concert by the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa and in November, the performance of "A Rainbow of Dance - Part 5" were held to celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Birthday.

5. Personnel Exchange

• Thai residents in Japan:36,347(as of 31 December 2004)
• Japanese visitors to Thailand:1,235,370(as of 2004)
• Thai visitors to Japan:121,963(as of 2004)

6. Thai Students in Japan

Number of Thai students in Japan: 2,090 (as of May 2007)

A. Former Thai students studying in Japan are as follows:

Mrs. Tarisa Watanagase, Governor, Bank of Thailand, Dr. Thanong Bidhaya, former Finance Minister, Thanpuying Lersak Sombatsiri, former Communications Minister, Mr. Supong Chayutsahakij, Vice Chairman of the Executive Board, Bangkok Expressway Public Limited, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kitti Tiresesth, President of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Dr. Sommai Huntrakul(deceased), former Finance Minister and Dr. Preeda Kannasutra, former Agriculture Minister.

B. Old Japan Students' Association, Thailand was set up in 1951 by students who went on to further education in Japan and has about 2,600 members. The current chairman is Mr. Somphon Kongvattankul.

7. Academic Exchange

(implemented by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS))

8. Japanese language study in Thailand

Universities, schools & companies etc.

• Institutes of Japanese Language study: 385 institutes
• Number of trainees (students): 71,083 students