Ambassador of Thailand to Azerbaijan: Thailand supports all stakeholders to seek a transition to peace in the Caucasus

The interview of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Azerbaijan (with residence in Ankara, Türkiye), Apirat Sugondhabhirom, to Report:

- Mr Ambassador, on August 25 of last year, your credentials as the newly appointed extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to our country were accepted by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. What are your impressions of our country and its people?

- Since assuming the position, I have visited Azerbaijan three times, in 2 locations. First, of course, the Capital Baku, I have visited Baku twice, first for the credentials presentation to H.E. the President last year and, just recently, my second trip to Baku was as a Head of the Thai delegation for the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Coordinating Bureau in July. The second city I visited is Nakhchivan City in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. I was there last May with colleagues from the diplomatic corps from Ankara and Baku, to pay our respect to the National Leader and former President of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, on the 100th Anniversary of his birthday. Azerbaijan always treats me well with its legendary hospitality. The Azerbaijani are friendly, eager to help and extend their happiness to the people around them. The country’s geography and landscape give the country lots of benefits in this current world situation. Its vast land mass and proportioned coastal zone provides an abundance of natural resources, in particular its corps, produce, oil and natural gas which allow Azerbaijan to become one of the more important sources and potential partners of ours in the energy sector.

- In which areas do you consider expansion of cooperation acceptable?

- Thailand and Azerbaijan celebrate 30 years anniversaries of our bilateral relations last year. 30 years of this friendly relationship allows both countries to exchange and explore opportunities for cooperation. Politically, I think we have done very well, as can be seen from the exchanges of visits, the appointment and work of the Thai honorary consul in Baku, and the signing of lots of agreements. To strengthen our cooperation further, the priorities should be focused more on business and academic sectors and people-to-people relations, which already have a strong foundation and recently have shown a potential to develop positively. In the discussion during my credentials presentation with H.E. President Ilham Aliyev last July, we agreed that cooperation in the areas of agriculture, the food industry, and clean energy should be our priority. Currently, our top energy companies, PTT of Thailand and SOCAR of Azerbaijan, have established cooperation. We look forward to working closely with Azerbaijan in various areas.

- During your visit to Azerbaijan, you also mentioned the possibility of cooperation in the field of food processing. One of the most important issues in the world today is food safety. Do you have any effective suggestions for safe food processing between Azerbaijan and Thailand?

- Food safety is a key issue towards the achievement of the world’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a UN principle to which both countries attach great importance. I opine that both Thailand and Azerbaijan are rich in products and ingredients, becoming potential leading actors in the food industries. As Thailand has experience in agricultural products and food processing industries, both governmental agencies and private sectors in these areas should be able to work closely together in areas of Research and Development (R&D), transfer of technology, and human resource development. Currently, the Thai side, through the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) under the Thai Foreign Ministry, has already given scholarships to many Azerbaijani recipients to be trained in Thailand on courses related to food safety and will continue to grant scholarships in this area (and others). This is one of our endeavours to help Azerbaijan in upskilling its human resources in the areas that Thailand has expertise. I believe that, with this kind of cooperation, both countries can cope with food processing issues successfully.

- You know that Azerbaijan liberated Garabagh in 2020 after nearly 30 years of occupation. Currently, extensive construction and restoration works are underway in that area. Companies from different countries participate in the process. Is Thailand expected to participate in these processes?

- On the situation of Garabagh, Thailand adheres to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including the respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized border, non-interference, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Thailand, therefore, supports all stakeholders to seek a transition to peace.

- Which regions of Garabagh did you visit, and what were your impressions?

- Up until now I personally have not yet visited any areas in Garabagh. I hope to be there and see Garabagh with my own eyes soon when the situation in the area improves to the extent that all stakeholders reach amicable and acceptable solutions.

- What kind of activities do you have in the direction of establishing relations between our people? How many Azerbaijanis live in Thailand?

- I believe our people-to-people relations can be strengthened through cultural, academic and youth exchanges; tourism; and also, through the entertainment industry. The last area, entertainment, can showcase the way of living of Azerbaijanis and Thais, their cultures, and the values both people share or differ. Moreover, movies, TV series, or any kind of entertainment can promote relations among people. Nowadays, Thai entertainment is becoming more popular on streaming websites and easily accessible. This would help Azerbaijani understand more about Thai culture and better the people-to-people relations. According to my friend and colleague, Ambassador Irfan Davudov, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Thailand (with residence in Kuala Lumpur), there are approximately 20-30 Azerbaijani living in Thailand.

- How are relations with Azerbaijan in the field of tourism? What steps are planned to be taken for the development and promotion of tourism in both countries?

- Thailand is one of the top destinations for Azerbaijani as it offers various tropical tourist attractions, including nice beaches, world-renowned local cuisine, interesting culture, civilization and history, shopping experience and exciting nightlife, all within affordable travel budgets. It is a great getaway place from severe winter. Vice versa, Azerbaijan is a new and exotic alternative destination for Thai tourists with a lot of potential. However, I have to admit that presently there are still challenges. There is no direct flight between our two countries yet, and the fact that Thai travellers need an Azerbaijani visa to enter the country, and Azerbaijani travellers also need a Thai visa to enter the Kingdom, while there is neither a Thai Embassy in Baku nor Azerbaijani Embassy in Bangkok, can be a challenge. Currently, as we have seen the increasing potential of wealthy Azerbaijani tourists with high purchasing power travelling to Thailand, the relevant Thai authorities are now considering the possibility of allowing Azerbaijani travellers to be eligible for applying for a Visa on Arrival (VoA) once they reach Thailand. Also, the Thai online visa system is being developed, and once it is put in place, it would be easier for Azerbaijani travellers to get the Thai visa. With this process, it would hopefully enhance tourism relations between us.

- Are direct flights expected to open between the two countries?

- As of now, there is no direct flight between the two countries yet. According to our information, tourists from both countries can travel to the other by Qatar Airways or Turkish Airlines.

- Can Thailand open an embassy in Azerbaijan soon?

- The opening of the Thai Embassy in Baku has been positively considered, but admittedly it will still take some time, considering the budgetary and personnel needs involved. In the meantime, the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara, covering Azerbaijan from here, has been working closely and amicably with our Azerbaijani friends and partners both here in Ankara and Baku; and the Thai Honorary Consul in Baku, Mr Suat Fataliyev, has done his job very well in promoting the friendship between our two countries.

By the way, when I was in Azerbaijan, I visited the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku. I liked it very much. I received valuable gifts with symbols of Azerbaijan from Baku. I heard about "Yanardagh" (a natural gas fire which blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea near Baku), but I haven't been able to go there yet.

- There is also Ateshgah in Baku, a place receiving the most Buddhists. Ateshgah is usually the first place Indians go to when they come to Azerbaijan. Did you go there?

- No, I didn't. It is interesting. I will note that. What other historical places are there in Azerbaijan?

- In addition to Baku, Azerbaijan has historical and cultural monuments in Shaki-Zagatala, Gabala, Ganja, currently in Garabagh - Shusha, Nakhchivan, Ismayilli-Lahij, Shamakhi, Guba-Gusar, Lankaran-Lerik-Masalli, Gazakh-Tovuz, which are also very beautiful from the point of view of tourism.

- I love to be a friend with journalists anyway. I will ask my journalist friends, including you, during my visit.

- With pleasure, Mr. Ambassador. Thank you for taking the time for the interview.