08.31 Ambassador visited Shizuoka and joined Shizuoka Thai Festival

07/09/2012

Upon Shizuoka visit during 31 August – 1 September 2012, H.E. Ambassador Virasakdi Futrakul, joined the 3rd “Japan-Thailand Exchange Festival in FUJINOKUNI Shizuoka”, the Thai Festival held during 1-2 September 2012 by the Shizuoka Japan-Thailand Association.  At the same time, he also met with key persons in Shizuoka to strengthen the bond between Thailand and Shizuoka.  On 31 August 2012, the Ambassador paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Seiji Moriyama, Vice Governor of Shizuoka, and expressed gratitude for the prefecture’s support and cooperation with the Shizuoka Japan-Thailand Association in holding the Thai Festival.  He further emphasized close historical relations between Thailand and Shizuoka, especially through Nagamasa Yamada, the Japanese samurai from Shizuoka who served in the Royal Thai army during Ayutthaya period and was granted a title of “Okya Senaphimoc”.  In regards to economic relations, the Ambassador mentioned about more than 130 Japanese companies from Shizuoka investing in Thailand and 50,000 Shizuoka tourists visiting Thailand per year.

In this occasion, the Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on Mr. Masahiro Goto, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Shizuoka Bank, which had commenced its partnership with Kasikorn Bank since February 2011 in order to facilitate the prefecture’s businesses investing in Thailand.  The Ambassador showed appreciation to the bank for providing convenience for those businesses.

At 10.30 A.M. on 1 September 2012, the Ambassador attended the opening ceremony of the 3rd “Japan-Thailand Exchange Festival in FUJINOKUNI Shizuoka”.  He stressed the close ties between the two nations at all levels and mentioned this year marking the 125th anniversary of Thailand-Japan diplomatic relations and the 400th anniversary of Nagamasa Yamada residing in Thailand.  At the festival, the Royal Thai Embassy held a booth promoting Thai tourism and fruits, not to forget free tasting of Thai mangoes.  Approximately 30,000 people participated in the festival.

Shizuoka indeed gives precedence to Thailand through “Japan-Thailand Exchange Festival in FUJINOKUNI Shizuoka”, which has been held for three years now, and through Japan-Thailand Nagamasa Festival, which is organized in October every year.  This year marks the 27th anniversary of such festival, proving the long-lasting relationship between Thailand and Shizuoka.