The Kingdom of Thailand and the Czech Republic: A Network of Bilateral Relations

Abstract

The Czechs already knew something of Siam from reports dating back to
the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767). The wider audience became acquainted
with Thailand from the lectures, books and photographs from the Czech
travellers who visited the country during the reign of Rama V,
Chulalongkorn (1868-1910). After 1918, the newly-independent
Czechoslovak Republic soon established flourishing economic relations with
Siam, giving Czechoslovak companies like Baťa and Škoda a strong
presence in the region. The highlight of this period was the 1934 State Visit
of His Majesty the King, Rama VII - Prajadhipok - to Czechoslovakia, during
which the King met Czechoslovak leaders and inspected Czech companies.
These promising initial developments were interrupted by the 2nd World
War. In 1948, the communists seized power in Czechoslovakia, leading to
the resignation of President Beneš and the tragic death of Foreign Minister
Jan Masaryk, both good friends of Thailand and its former King, Rama VII.
Diplomatic relations were re-established in 1974, but it was not until 1989,
the year of democratic change in Czechoslovakia and the end of the
communist regime, when the new era of Czech-Thai relations began.
Thailand soon became a popular destination for Czech tourists and
businesses. The Czech and Thai governments started numerous joint
activities, and a new base for political relations was established. The visit of
Czech president Vaclav Havel to Thailand, and his meeting with His Majesty
the King, Rama IX, in February 1994 was the most important of these visits.
Now tens of thousands of Czechs visit Thailand every year, levels of mutual
trade continue their dramatic rise, and relations between the two countries
continue to strengthen.