Egypt Celebrates 74th
Prime Minister of Thailand Attends Egyptian National Day Celebration, Reaffirms Strong Thai–Egyptian Partnership
Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul attended the reception marking the 74th National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt, hosted by H.E. Ambassador Hala Youssef.
Upon arrival, the Prime Minister inaugurated the exhibition “Egyptian Ancient Civilization through the Art of Papyrus,” featuring remarkable reproductions that reflected Egypt’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring legacy of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Ambassador Hala Youssef expressed her profound appreciation to Prime Minister Anutin for honoring the celebration as Guest of Honour, describing his presence as “a reflection of the exceptional friendship between Egypt and Thailand and of our shared commitment to further strengthening our bilateral partnership.”
Marking another important milestone, the Ambassador noted that this year also commemorates 200 years of modern Egyptian diplomacy, founded on dialogue, partnership, and building bridges between nations. Drawing inspiration from Egypt’s ancient civilization, she recalled that Ramses II concluded what is widely regarded as the world’s first recorded peace treaty after the Battle of Kadesh, observing that “true strength lies not only in power, but in the wisdom to pursue peace through dialogue.” She emphasized that this philosophy continues to guide Egypt’s foreign policy today under President Abdel Fattah Al- Sisi, President of Egypt, and remains at the heart of its international engagement.
Prime Minister Anutin, on his part, congratulated the Government and people of Egypt on the occasion of their National Day and reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
“Thailand and Egypt enjoy a relationship founded on mutual respect, trust, and genuine friendship between our peoples. Egypt holds a special place in Thailand’s diplomatic history as the first country in the Arab world and Africa to establish diplomatic relations with Thailand, and this is a partnership that we deeply value and are proud of.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the continued expansion of bilateral economic cooperation, noting that trade between the two countries is approaching US$1 billion, alongside growing Thai investment in Egypt. He also emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges, particularly in tourism, education, culture, and religious ties, which continue to strengthen mutual understanding.
Reflecting on the remarkable progress achieved over the past year, Ambassador Hala Youssef highlighted the participation of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya in the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum as “a defining moment in our friendship”, adding that it sparked renewed interest among the Thai public in Egypt’s heritage and contributed to growing tourism between the two countries. She remarked that “cultural diplomacy often succeeds in bringing people closer where words alone cannot.”
The Ambassador also highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral cooperation, including the successful convening of the Eighth Round of Political Consultations, the establishment of the first Thai industrial investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, expanding healthcare cooperation between the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), Mahidol University, and leading Egyptian pharmaceutical companies, and Thailand’s renewed engagement with Africa through the relaunch of the Thailand–Africa Initiative.
The celebration brought together a wide gathering of senior members of the Thai Government, Members of Parliament, diplomats, business leaders, academics, representatives of international organizations, and friends of Egypt. Guests enjoyed an evening featuring Egyptian cuisine, cultural performances, scenic presentations showcasing Egypt’s civilization and tourism, and the papyrus exhibition, highlighting the enduring bonds of friendship between Egypt and Thailand.
Concluding her remarks, Ambassador Hala Youssef thanked the Royal Thai Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo, and the Embassy team for their continued support in advancing bilateral relations. She also extended her warmest wishes to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn on the occasion of His Majesty’s upcoming Birthday, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding partnership with the Kingdom of Thailand.
