1. A “Discover Thainess 2015” with Miss International Globe – Brazil

 

            On 10 June 2015, the Royal Thai Embassy hosted a reception to promote Thai tourism under the theme “Discover Thainess 2015” for 27 contestants of Miss International Globe – Brazil. The event was well attended by around 200 people, including high-ranking Brazilian officials, Foreign Ambassadors, businesspersons, high-society people in Brasilia and Brazilian medias. 

 

            H.E. Mr. PitchayaphantCharnbhumidol, the Thai Ambassador to Brazil, extended warm welcome to all the participants and thecontestantsand hoped that the event would give the good opportunity for them to have better understanding about Thai cultures and Thainess through Thai cuisines and traditional dance presented in the reception. He also wished all the contestants to take experiences and the fond memory of Thai culture that might disseminate better understanding of Thailand among Brazilians in each of her own state. 

 

            TheRoyal Thai Embassy also received full support from Turkish Airlines in Brazil, whichcomplementedair tickets from Sao Paolo – Bangkok – Sao Paolo for the lucky participant on the 10 June reception and the winner of Miss International Globe – Brazil. On 11 June 2015, Mrs. DuangjaiCharnbhumidol, spouse of theAmbassador,presented the complementary tickets to Miss International Globe - Brazil 2015who won the crown during the contest at Hotel International, Brasilia.

 

2. MOU on Halal Cooperation between Thailand and Brazil

 

            On 10 June 2015, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of Halal Cooperation between Thailand and Brazil was co-signed by Associate Professor. Dr. Winai Dahlan, Founding Director of the Halal Science Center, Chulalongkorn University and Mr. Mohamed Hussein El Zoghbi, Director of Federation of Muslims Associations in Brazil (FAMBRAS) at the Royal Thai Embassy, Brasilia. The MOU signing ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, Deputy-Permanent Secretary of Thai Foreign Ministry, Mr. Pitchayaphant Charnbhumidol, Ambassador of Thailand to Brazil, Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Director-General of Department of International Economics Affairs, Mr. Songsak Saicheua, Director-General of Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, Pol.Maj.Gen. Surin Palarae, Secretary-General of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand and Mr. Ibrahim Adam, Vice Secretary-General of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand.

 

            The MOU was signed following the Thai Halal-industry Specialists’ visit to Goiás on 8 – 12 June 2015, co-organized by Department of International Economics Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Royal Thai Embassy in Brazil. The objectives of this visit were (1) to conduct the fact-finding and (2) to seek Halal cooperation between Thailand and Brazil, as Brazil is highly successful in Halal food export despite being a Non-Muslim Country. During the visit, the Thai delegation stayed in Goiania, the State of Goiás, and met with Mr. José Eliton de Figuerêdo Júnior, Deputy – Governor of Goiás State. They also visited the Nutriza Poultry Factory as well as the JBS Halal Beef factory and Slaughterhouse. The Thai specialists held a discussion on Halal Cooperation with the representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) in Brasilia. 

 

            The MOU on Halal Cooperation will hopefully lead to better collaboration between Thailand and Brazil in Halal sector. It can help increase technical cooperation and promote good image of Thailand as World halal food exporter.

 

3. Deputy Permanent Secretary Visits Brazil to Co-Chair the 1st Political Consultations

 

            On 11 June 2015,H.E. Mr. VitavasSrivihok, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. José Alfredo Graça Lima, Undersecretary General for Political Affairs II of the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil, co-chaired the First Political Consultations between Thailand and Brazil in Brasilia, the Federative Republic of Brazil.

 

            The two sides exchanged views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, including exchanges of high-level visits, economic and political cooperationas well as exchanges of votes for each other’s candidates in international organizations. Both side also urged their authorities concerned to fully utilize various existing Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs). They further explore ways and means to promote exchanges of knowledge and experiences between Thailand and Brazil in areas of mutual interest, especially, on defense, science, technology and innovation as well asculture and sports.

 

            In addition, on 9 June 2015, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Thailand gave a lecture on Thai Foreign Policy including political and economic development of Thailand and political development in Asia at the Rio Branco Institute, the institute that trains and selects diplomatic officers to serve in the Brazilian Foreign Service. Participants included several foreign Ambassadors to Brazil and new Brazilian diplomats. 

 

            The Deputy Permanent Secretary and the Thai delegation also took the opportunity to pay courtesy calls on Ambassador SérgioDanese, Secretary-General and Acting Minister ofExternal Relations of Brazil and Mr. Ivan Ramalho, Deputy Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Tradeas well as to meet with high-level representatives from Embrapa, National Confederation of Industry of Brazil (CNI), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and Mr. Pedro Spadale, Undersecretary of International Relations of the State of Rio de Janeiro.