By Choe Chong-dae
Thailand demonstrated exceptional humanitarian help in the course of the 1950-53 Korean Conflict by contributing 11,786 troopers and 4 tons of rice to help the U.N. Allied Forces. Thai troops, referred to as the “Little Tigers” for his or her bravery, confronted important losses. Nonetheless, they achieved good outcomes all through the conflict, due to their excellent fight abilities. This dedication, rooted in camaraderie and patriotism, additionally mirrored the affect of Buddhism on their sense of responsibility.
Regardless of a shared historical past, Thailand-Korea relations have not too long ago confronted challenges, notably in tourism. The variety of Thai guests to Korea has declined sharply attributable to stricter entry laws and stories of denied entries by the Korea Digital Journey Authorization (Okay-ETA) system. Whereas Okay-ETA goals to pre-screen guests to forestall airport denials, its implementation has raised issues, fueling fears of a Boycott Korea motion, spurred by destructive attitudes spreading on social media.
Nonetheless, the deep-rooted ties between Korea and Thailand supply hope for revitalizing their relationship. The designation of 2023-2024 because the Korea-Thailand Mutual Go to Yr goals to strengthen tourism and cultural exchanges between the 2 nations. A first-rate instance is the Sawasdee Thai Competition 2024: T-Pop Story, held at Cheonggyecheon Plaza in Seoul on Oct. 5-6, to have fun the sixty fifth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Thailand. This vibrant showcase launched Koreans to Thailand’s distinctive and wealthy traditions by music, dance, delicacies and extra.
“Sawasdee,” embodying heat, respect and hospitality, lies on the coronary heart of Thai tradition, resonating deeply with Korean society. The pageant captured this spirit, mixing Thailand’s numerous traditions with fashionable Thai tradition. A spotlight was the “T-Pop Story,” showcasing the rising recognition of Thai pop music, which has gained a worldwide following. Performances of conventional Thai music on distinctive devices supplied a fascinating mix of historic and modern sounds, whereas Muay Thai demonstrations thrilled martial arts fans with shows of talent and self-discipline.
The pageant was a pleasant immersion into Thailand’s vibrant heritage, reinforcing the enduring cultural ties between Thailand and Korea, regardless of challenges just like the decline in tourism.
For me, the pageant sparked nostalgia. Encountering Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat and his diplomatic group, together with Colonel Itt Thippayachan, newly inaugurated defence attaché, introduced again fond reminiscences of two exceptional Thai figures: Main Normal Chote Klongvicha, former Thai ambassador to Korea and later to Sweden, and Colonel Akaphol Somloop, who was finally promoted to four-star basic and chief of employees of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Each males served in Korea in the course of the late Sixties to early Seventies and had been shut mates of my household.
In 1971, as a freshman at a college in Seoul, I had the privilege of attending the Thai Armed Forces Day reception on the U.S. Officers’ Membership, Yongsan, invited by Colonel Somloop. This occasion gave me an unforgettable introduction to Thai tradition and customs, deepening my appreciation for Thailand’s heritage.
Although greater than half a century has handed, that have nonetheless resonates with me right now. Later, when Main Normal Chote Klongvicha served as Thailand’s Ambassador to Sweden, he graciously hosted my father, Choe Nam-ju, a pioneer in Korean archaeology, to dinner at his residence in Stockholm in 1975, throughout a go to to the Royal Palace of Sweden.
Regardless of latest setbacks, the Sawasdee Thailand Competition underscored the potential for renewed connections and strengthened the friendship between Korea and Thailand. Whereas tourism faces challenges, occasions like this pageant remind us of the lasting cultural change. Trying forward, initiatives just like the Korea-Thailand Mutual Go to Yr supply hope for deepening ties and preserving our shared historical past and cultural appreciation.
As we work to revitalize the ties between Korea and Thailand, we also needs to always remember Thailand’s precious and philanthropic contributions in the course of the Korean Conflict, which laid the muse for the camaraderie and mutual respect our nations proceed to share right now. On this spirit, we should always be sure that the Thai group in Korea is handled with the respect and care they deserve.
Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a visitor columnist of The Korea Instances. He’s president of Dae-kwang Worldwide Co., and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Affiliation.