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The Philippines–Thailand relations refers to the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Thailand. The Philippines established formal diplomatic relations with Thailand on June 14, 1949. The relations between the two are described as warm and friendly. Thailand is one of the Philippines' major trade partners and one of the Philippines' sources of rice through Thai exports. Bilateral relations continues to be strengthened through talks and agreements on economic, security and cultural matters including concerns on rice trade, fight on drugs and human trafficking. Thailand has an embassy in Manila, while the Philippines maintains an embassy in Bangkok.
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History
The Philippines and Thailand began its relation way-back in the 13th century in the context of Southeast Asian maritime trade. Archaeological records point not only to commercial and cultural ties but also a recognition of their political stature. Siam with its kingdoms and the Philippines with its rajahs. There were also ceramic wares from Sukhothai and Sawankhalok found in Luzon and Visayas region as evidence of early relations. Southeast Asian wares found in the Philippines from the 13th century to 16th century period were mostly from Siam. In 1586, two decades after Spain set foot in the Philippines, Siam was mentioned as a possible goal of commercial interests and physical expansion and the first contact was made between Spain and Thailand. Trade relations between the Philippine archipelago and Siam were disrupted as Spain prioritized developing trade between Philippines to the Americas and the Iberian peninsula.
During the American colonial administration in the Philippines, relations remain limited to commercial exchanges, consular contacts and the admission of Thai students to study in the then American colony. During this period, the biggest import of the Philippines to Thailand was rice and Thailand's biggest import from the Philippines was abaca. As early as 1926, Philippine universities and colleges began to accept students from Thailand. And after 1949, specifically during the economic crisis, the Philippines imported Thai agricultural commodities especially rice.
On June 14, 1949, official diplomatic relations were established between the Philippines and Thailand.
During the later years of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos' term and President Corazon Aquino's whole term, from 1978-1992, relations between the Philippines and Thailand were neglected due to economic crisis and the political situation in the Philippines. The relations were strengthened again after the said period.
Agreement signed
A Treaty of Friendship signed by both countries in 1949. Bilateral and trade relations between the two countries continue to be characterized by harmony, dynamism, and warmth and strengthened when they became founding members of the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization in 1954 and ASEAN in 1967. Several bilateral agreements have since been signed on defense, investment, environment, tourism, air services, and scientific, technical, agriculture, and telecommunications exchanges. Thailand and the Philippines signed three agreements on taxation, energy and business cooperation during a high-level Thai delegation's visit to the Philippines. One of these agreement between the education ministries of the two countries will be signed on exchange of English language teachers to improve language proficiency of the Thai people.
State visit
In 1963, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, made a 5-day state visit to the Philippines. Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos visited Thailand in December 1995 followed by President Joseph Estrada in December 1998. Many other high-level visits, people-to-people contact, and cooperation under various frameworks mark the mutually beneficial relations between the two countries. In 2011, President Benigno Aquino III undertakes his first official visit to Thailand. He meet Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The visit aims to further strengthen the Philippines deep and strong bilateral relations with Thailand, as well as cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in order to help build a secure and prosperous ASEAN Community in 2015. The Chief Executive will be accorded with ceremonial honors befitting a head of state like an official welcome ceremony at the Government House in Dusit, Bangkok. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited the Philippines to highlight the 63rd anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand.