6 THE JAPAN TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2009 (1) Thailand national day An auspicious year for Thai-Japan relations His Majesty, Pichai Israbhakdi ity and continued success to eign investor. The Japanese King Bhumibol CHARGE D’AFFAIRES A.I., THE ROYAL THAI the government and people of community is one of the larg- EMBASSY Japan. est foreign business communi- ------------------------------------------ The year 2009 is especially ties in Thailand. With the di- King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of The 5th of December every propitious for the people of rect contribution of the Japan- the Chakri Dynasty, which was founded in year is a very important occa- Thailand, as it is the 82nd Thailand Economic Partner- 1782 by King Rama I. King Bhumibol, Rama sion for the Thai people as it is birthday anniversary of His ship Agreement, or JTEPA, IX, is the longest reigning king in Thai the birthday of Majesty, the world’s longest our two-way trade in 2009 is history. Though Thailand’s political system His Majesty reigning living monarch. His worth more than $31.3 billion. is officially classified as a constitutional King Bhumibol Majesty is not only the symbol People-to-people contacts are monarchy, the constitution states that the Adulyadej of of the national unity for the growing, with Thai and Japa- king be ‘‘enthroned in a position of revered Thailand, the Thai people, but also an inspi- nese youths looking to one an- worship’’ and not be exposed to any sort of beloved ‘‘mon- ration for numerous others other for the latest trends and accusation or ‘‘action.’’ Without any legal arch and Fa- around the globe. As Thai- ideas. It is estimated that al- writ, Thai citizens hold their king in the ther of Thai land’s ‘‘Development King,’’ most 1 million Japanese tour- highest regard for his dedication to his people.’’ This His Majesty’s royal projects ists will visit Thailand in 2009. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, hospitalized for people through an impressive list of public day is celebrated by Thais and initiatives have helped to Politically, the Thai and fever and fatigue, has postponed the works projects and his humanitarian both at home and abroad as alleviate the hardships of mil- Japanese governments’ rela- birthday eve address. activities of good will. Thailand’s National Day. lions of his people. Close ties: Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand meets tionship has been closer and On this auspicious occasion, This year is also auspicious with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Nov. 7 during the first more cooperative. Thailand, I am honored to extend, on be- for the people of Japan, for it is Japan-Mekong summit in Tokyo. EMBASSY OF THAILAND as this year’s chair of ASEAN, ma. The first Japan-Mekong alogues are helping to create ernment stands ready to work half of the government and the year in which Japanese hosted the 15th ASEAN sum- summit on Nov. 6 and 7 in To- even closer ties between Thai- with the government of Japan people of Thailand, our deep- people commemorate the 20th pan. The two auspicious anni- milestone in the close and cor- mit and related summits in kyo was another occasion land and Japan. for the mutual benefit of our est respect to Their Majesties anniversary of the accession versaries of Their Majesties dial relations between Thai- Hua Hin from Oct. 23 to 25, when the two prime ministers I am certain that our past two countries and peoples. Fi- the Emperor and Empress to the throne of His Majesty have made the year a most land and Japan. Despite vari- during which Prime Minister discussed, together with the shall be our inspiration, and I nally, may I express my grati- and the Imperial Family, and the Emperor and the 50th wed- promising period of commem- ous challenges, we are moving Abhisit Vejjajiva had a fruit- leaders of Mekong countries, am convinced that the amia- tude and appreciation to The our earnest greetings and best ding anniversary of the Em- oration and celebrations. forward together. Japan re- ful discussion on various is- areas of cooperation for the bility between Thailand and Japan Times and its readers wishes for happiness, prosper- peror and the Empress of Ja- The year 2009 is another mains Thailand’s largest for- sues of mutual interest with development of the Mekong Japan will grow stronger in all for making this year’s celebra- Prime Minister Yukio Hatoya- region. These meetings and di- aspects. The Royal Thai Gov- tion meaningful. Best wishes offered to the king on his birthday Ken-ichi Suematsu government led by Prime will play a leading role and as- cance in terms of letting us CHAIRMAN, JAPAN-THAILAND ASSOCIATION Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has sume more importance in the Japanese grow much closer to ------------------------------------------ patiently and democratically global economy. Asian peoples as comrades. His Majesty King Bhumibol carved out a route toward a This is a Japan-Mekong Ex- I expect the Japan-Mekong Adulyade turns 82 years old settlement. On the diplomatic change Year, for which Japan Exchange Year to provide an today, on which front, Thailand is holding the and five countries through impetus to further expanding I offer my cor- ASEAN chairmanship this which the Mekong flows — exchanges between Japan and dial and sincere year, drawing the world’s at- Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, ASEAN countries in the fu- c o n g r atula- tention to Asia as a region of Myanmar and Vietnam — ture. tions to the potentially high economic have been conducting various Among other things, I think King, his royal growth. exchange events and projects the development of the Me- family and the The global economy ap- since January to promote and kong basin, and the effective Thai people. I pears to have finally hit bot- deepen mutual understanding use of the east-west corridor wish for their tom, but it still cannot guaran- and friendship in all fields, in- and the north-south corridor, continued and even better tee optimism. Thailand is still cluding economic and cultural can help Southeast Asian health, happiness and pros- being affected in its export of ones. countries significantly expand perity. industrial products. Domestic The Japan-Thai Association economic and cultural ex- Amid the unstable econom- consumption, however, has has held a ‘‘Thai Forum’’ as a changes beyond national bor- ic situation besetting the been faring relatively well, in- Japan-Mekong Exchange ders, and build a more pros- world, Thailand has regained dicating that stable domestic Year 2009 event in cooperation perous Asia. stability in its politics and consumer markets are al- with the Thai Embassy in To- I cordially hope for a still economy this year and height- ready in existence. This can kyo to provide more Japanese stronger bond between Japan ened its presence in Asia. raise expectations that Asia is with an opportunity to learn and Thailand. Let me again Thai politics had been more transforming from a produc- about the attractive kingdom. wish His Majesty the King of House of worship: Bangkok National Museum’s Buddhaisawan Chapel houses the Phra Buddhashing, an important sacred or less in confusion since a ing area to a consuming area, I am very pleased to see this Thailand many happy returns Buddha image. The paintings in this chapel are the oldest murals in Bangkok. TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND coup d’etat in 2006, but the new in which the Thai economy year take on great signifi- of the day. The Japan Times PUBDATE: 12/5/2009 PAGE: 6 C M Y K OUTPUT TIME: 23:38:57 12/5/199 / / PT SUP/PG 6/ED 1 (4) THE JAPAN TIMES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009 7 Thailand national day/world IN BRIEF So much to see in City of Angels ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mexico seeks New hepatitis C treatment in trials Cultural sightseeing in Bang- kok can be a daunting task Washington AFP-JIJI considering there are so many An experimental treatment targeting hepatitis C was able to inhibit replication of the virus in the bloodstream of promised U.S. places to see, and they’re spread all over the city. To chimpanzees and could treat chronic infections in humans, fight the traffic and reach all according to a study released Thursday. of the sites would require a The treatment works by inhibiting a molecule that helps the great deal of patience and per- hepatitis C virus replicate, according to scientists at the antidrug aid severance. Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, who said the A good way to start off in drug continued to work up to several months after it was used. terms of getting the most The treatment is already undergoing ‘‘human clinical trials Bang(kok) for the Buck would and is currently undergoing phase-1 clinical studies in healthy majority of Merida goods and be at the Grand Palace. Con- volunteers,’’ the researchers said in a press release. GOA report says services.’’ structed simultaneously with It is the first medication of its type to be tested on humans, But the new U.S. ambassa- the establishment of Bangkok according to the researchers, whose work was published in the red tape is tying dor to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, by King Rama I the Great, the Dec. 3 issue of the journal Science Express. countered that the GAO report complex covers about 218,000 up funds as drug creates a ‘‘misimpression.’’ sq. meters and comprises Russia, Vatican establish relations He said that the United States three major quarters — the war intensifies has actually spent $222 million throne halls, royal residences Rome AFP-JIJI but that ‘‘due to the idiosyncra- and Temple of the Emerald Russia and the Vatican have agreed to establish full diplomatic sies of federal reporting and Buddha.