Prime Minister's Son Carries on Father's Legacy of Promoting Thai-Chinese Relations

By Liam Zanyk McLean

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Prime Minister's Son Carries on Father's Legacy of Promoting Thai-Chinese Relations

By Liam Zanyk McLean

When looking back at the history of modern Thai-Chinese relations， it's difficult to identify any one person more important than Kukrit Pramoj， a Thai politician， scholar and member of the Thai royal family who served as his country's Prime Minister from 1975-1976.

Kukrit played a crucial role in the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand in 1975， marking the beginning of a deep cultural bond that has endured ever since. After Kukrit's death in 1995， his son， Supab Pramoj， has continued his father's efforts to facilitate and expand friendship and cooperation between China and Thailand. Visiting China Report ASEAN on June 12， Supab shared his views on the past， present and future of Thai-Chinese relations.

A frequent visitor to China， Supab said he views Thai-Chinese relations as vital to the region. Thailand's economic and geographic advantages mean the two countries' already considerable trade opportunities continue to grow， he said.

“Thailand is in a special position because it lies in the central part of Southeast Asia，”Supab said. “There are many opportunities inThailand and its people are very nice.”

Supab accompanied his father on various trips to China during Kukrit's time as both Prime Minister and a diplomat within the Thai Government. Kukrit's most notable trip to China came in July 1975 when he met with then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing， penning the agreement establishing diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. Other meetings included discussions with Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping， who would later serve as China's leader.

“My father looked into the future，”Supab said. “He saw that China and Thailand had the chance to become very close friends.”

Much Chinese influence has existed in Thailand throughout its history. Several Thai kings have been of Chinese ancestry，and around 40 percent of Thailand's citizens are of Chinese descent. Today， a majority of Thailand's parliament has at least some Chinese ancestry. These ancestral links give Thailand and China a special bond， Supab said.

“Thailand and China have maintained a good relationship for the past 700 years， and many of our people come from Southern China，” he explained.

Supab himself has ancestral links to Guangdong Province in Southern China.

Matchmaker

Supab has now carried on his father's legacy as a champion of Thai-Chinese friendship. He makes frequent trips to China，representing Thailand and exploring opportunities in China from which both Thai and Chinese citizens can benefit.

He has traveled to a multitude of Chinese cities including Beijing， Chongqing， various parts of Yunnan Province and several cities in other provinces. He has a particular fondness for Guangzhou and Shantou of Guangdong Province as well as Hong Kong，due to his ancestral roots.

His goals in traveling to China are multi-faceted. One priority is to increase cultural understanding between Thai and Chinese people. Another aim is to help find opportunities for Thai businesses.

“There are many chances for Thai companies to do well in China，” Supab said.“Many people in China want our products，so there is a market here.”

Supab Pramoj has continued his father's efforts to facilitate and expand friendship and cooperation between China and Thailand

Economic exchanges between the two countries have thrived in recent years. China is ASEAN's largest trade partner and is the largest exporter to Thailand. Bilateral trade between the two countries totaled US$63.6 billion in 2014， an increase of 39 percent compared to 2010. Both countries' governments expect trade to reach US$100 billion by the year 2020. Thailand is a key player in the Chinese government's Belt and Road Initiative， with several significant infrastructure projects currently planned.

In addition to exchange in purely economic terms， China is now Thailand's largest source of tourists， an industry crucial to the Thai economy. Nearly 8 million Chinese nationals traveled to Thailand in 2015，outpacing the next highest， Malaysia， by nearly 5 million. Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand now enjoy visa-on-arrival status，which provides convenience and eases the burden of cost for travelers.

Despite recent easing of restrictions， visas are an area in which Thai-Chinese exchanges could improve， Supab said.

“Right now， Chinese citizens travelling to Thailand can get a visa on arrival， but forThai visitors to China， the visa process is still too difficult，” Supab said. “Visas are something everyone should work on to make easier.”

Supab pointed to the kindness of Thai citizens and their willingness to learn the Chinese language as factors in the popularity of Thailand as a travel destination for Chinese citizens.

“The people in Chiang Mai ［a northern Thai city］ are particularly friendly. That is why Chiang Mai is so popular for Chinese tourists，” Supab said.

Chinese language proficiency among Thais working in the tourism industry is a relatively new trend， but many Thais see great benefit to learning Chinese as a second language.

Family Ties

Supab's ties to China amount to more than just cultural exchanges and business. His daughter Apinya Pramoj studies Chinese at Huaqiao University in Xiamen， a coastal city in southeastern China's Fujian Province. Apinya plans to return to Thailand after graduation， Supab said， and use her language skills to succeed in business.

“My daughter can speak Thai， English and Chinese，” Supab explained. “English has been an international language for a long time， but now Chinese is becoming more and more important. In Thailand it is just as important as English now. Because of her language skills， she will have a good chance to do very well in a career in Thailand.”

Just like himself， Apinya is in a special position to continue Thai-Chinese friendship，Supab added. Three generations of his family have taken on special roles as experts onThailand and China， doing much to promote understanding between the two countries.