เมื่อวันที่ 5 กันยายน 2553 นายกรัฐมนตรีได้เดินทางเยือนนครเซี่ยงไฮ้ เพื่อร่วมในพิธีฉลองวันประจำชาติของศาลาไทยในงาน Shanghai World Expo 2010 ณ อาคาร Expo Center โดยภายในพิธีฉลองดังกล่าว นายกรัฐมนตรีได้กล่าวสุนทรพจน์เป็นภาษาอังกฤษ มีใจความดังต่อไปนี้
Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Mr. Li Zhaochao,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. It is a great pleasure for me to be here at the World Expo 2010 in this beautiful city of Shanghai.
2. First of all, I would like to congratulate the Host – the Government and the people of the People’s Republic of China – as well as the organisers on the magnificent setting and excellent management of the Word Expo 2010. There are more than 180 countries participating in this event and currently more than 45 million visitors have visited this Expo. This speaks for itself of the remarkable success of this event. And I believe that the number of visitors will exceed the 70-million target by the end of the Expo. Indeed, among the notable visitors was Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand who came here last month and spent three days visiting several pavilions.
3. With the gigantic space and scale of operations, it comes as no surprise that the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai is the largest and one of the most magnificent expos ever to have been held, and I am certain that it will remain memorable as such for many years to come.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
4. Today is a special day, as it marks “Thailand’s Day” at the World Expo 2010. It is the day when we highlight many aspects which together represent “Thailand and Thainess.” Of course, fun, sun, sea and sand are some of the characteristics and attributes already well known to many of you. But there are so much more.
5. By organising this Thailand’s Day, we sincerely hope that you will be able to renew your affinity with Thailand and, perhaps, discover new things about the hidden treasures of our country, culture and customs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
6. The opportunity to participate in the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai is significant for us.
7. Given the modern trends and looming challenges we all face, the theme of this year’s Expo “Better City, Better Life” is highly pertinent as it speaks of the symbiosis between economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. Both of these paradigms can thrive simultaneously, and not at the expense of one another. There is no better way to demonstrate the true meaning of this theme than portraying it by the city of Shanghai itself. Furthermore, the success of the Shanghai Expo has given us the inspiration and the aspiration for Thailand to tender our bid for hosting a World Expo in the near future — in the year 2020.
8. In a wider picture, the Expo may be said to have brought the world closer together, providing an opportunity for people all over the world to come and learn from one another’s knowledge and experiences. The Expo truly represents cultural diplomacy at its best.
9. On the bilateral level, it further strengthens the close ties of friendship between Thailand and China — a relationship that has been in place for many centuries. And this year also marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the People’s Republic of China. Indeed, with a large part of the Thai population comprising those of ethnic Chinese origins, the Thai and Chinese people are not only linked by geographical proximity but also by blood and culture. Hence, over the years, our two countries have enjoyed cordial relations and cooperation in many fields. There have been numerous exchanges of our dignitaries at all levels. Sino-Thai trade, investment and tourism have flourished vibrantly, and shown great potential for expansion, especially through the enhanced connectivity embodied in the frameworks of ASEAN and the Mekong Sub-region that bring Thailand and China even closer.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
10. I am pleased that over four million visitors have so far come to visit the Thailand Pavilion. I hope that within the remaining period of the Expo this number will increase even further. And it would be fantastic if this number can be translated into the greater number of Chinese visitors to Thailand in the near future. The Thai Pavilion has been organised to reflect the essence of Thailand and what our Kingdom has to offer. And I sincerely hope that after visiting the Thailand Pavilion you will have an even better impression of our country and indeed become our “ambassadors” and “advocates”.
11. I thank you all for coming here today and for celebrating Thailand’s Day with us. Xia Xia Neemen.
การเยือนนครเซี่ยงไฮ้ของนายกรัฐมนตรีในครั้งนี้มีขึ้นระหว่างวันที่ 4-5 กันยายน 2553 โดยมีวัตถุประสงค์หลักเพื่อร่วมในพิธีฉลองดังกล่าว
