[This opinion article was contributed by Choe Chong-dae, a columnist and senior member of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea.]
SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - It is encouraging to see Korea and Thailand gaining renewed momentum in their economic partnership, as demonstrated at the recent Ignite Thailand–Korea Business Forum in Bangkok. More than 500 participants, including senior officials from both nations, explored cooperation in smart agriculture, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and creative industries. Thailand also presented investment incentives in key sectors such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, and digital technology. The networking activities involving more than 200 companies further emphasized the expanding opportunities for collaboration.
These contemporary partnerships build upon a long history of diplomatic and cultural exchanges between Korea and Thailand, dating back to the Goryeo period. According to the Goryeo-sa, the official chronicle of the Goryeo Dynasty, Siam—modern-day Thailand—dispatched an envoy named Nai Gong to Korea in 1391, bringing native products and a letter for King Gongyang (r. 1389–1392). This marked the first recorded official
contact between the two kingdoms. The Goryeo court warmly welcomed the delegation, introducing them to Korean culture and customs. Yet the following year witnessed the fall of Goryeo and the rise of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), resulting in a long pause in diplomatic exchanges.
After this centuries-long hiatus, Thailand reemerged as a substantive partner during the Korean War (1950–1953), sending 11,786 troops and providing crucial rice aid. Their courage and skill—at the cost of 134 fallen soldiers—earned them the nickname ‘Little Tigers’ from U.S. General James Van Fleet. Their Buddhist-inspired loyalty and camaraderie forged deep bonds with South Korean troops.
The war also gave rise to enduring cultural connections, including the Korean folk song Arirang, remembered in Thailand through a love story between a Thai soldier and a Korean woman—symbolizing friendships that transcended the battlefield.
Thailand’s support continued well beyond the war. Thai troops were among the last foreign forces to serve under the U.N Command, and cooperation persists today through military exchanges and shared training. Their valor is commemorated across Korea, from a pavilion in Pocheon (1974) to memorials at former battle sites. These tributes honor their courage and preserve the legacy of Thai–Korean friendship for future generations.
My memories of Thailand’s generosity resurfaced vividly when I attended the National Day reception on December 3, 2025, at the invitation of H.E. Tanee Sangrat, the Thai Ambassador to Korea. The event commemorated Thailand’s National Day and the birthday anniversary of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, while also paying tribute to the recent passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
That evening also brought to mind Major General Chote Klongvicha, former Thai Ambassador to Korea and later to Sweden, and Colonel Akaphol Somloop, former Thai Defense Attaché, who was later promoted to four-star general and appointed Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Both were family friends who served in Korea in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a freshman in Seoul in 1971, I first encountered Thai culture and hospitality at the Thai Armed Forces Day reception—an indelible memory that resurfaced decades later, including when General Chote graciously hosted my father in Stockholm.
This year, Thailand’s warmth and culture were on full display at the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025, celebrating its 10th anniversary under the theme “Discover Thailand.” The festival opened on September 1 with a reception at the Thai Ambassador’s Residence
and continued on September 6–7 at Cheonggye Plaza and Gwangtonggyo Bridge, Seoul. Visitors enjoyed Thailand’s traditions and creativity through a Muay Thai demonstration by Buakaw, Thai cooking showcases, a participatory song contest, and a hands-on Nuad Thai massage zone—offering a vivid glimpse into everyday Thai life.
My longstanding ties with Thailand also led me to pay my respects at the Thai Embassy in Seoul on November 8, following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. Her gracious legacy and lifelong devotion to the Thai people will be remembered with deep reverence. The Queen Mother lived a long and remarkable life, defined by her profound love for Thailand’s people, culture, and natural environment. Through her visionary leadership and the SUPPORT Foundation, she advanced rural development, water resource management, women’s empowerment, and the preservation of traditional Thai fabrics and silk. She also extended humanitarian assistance to refugees in the 1970s. Her contributions, which strengthened communities across the Kingdom and protected Thailand’s rich biodiversity, have earned recognition both at home and abroad.
As these developments show, the Thai community in Korea continues to enrich our society and deepen mutual understanding. Cultural exchanges such as Sawasdee Seoul not only highlight Thailand’s heritage but also serve as vital platforms for people-to-people diplomacy. They reaffirm the longstanding friendship between our two nations and remind us that mutual respect, shared values, and sustained cultural interaction form the foundation of enduring bilateral relations.
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--About the author--
The author, Choe Chong-dae, is a columnist and senior member of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea. He is also an international cultural and historical affairs enthusiast. He has contributed regular opinion columns to The Korea Times for over four decades. He is an editorial board member of the Newsletter of the Korea-America Association and the founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association. In 2010, he was awarded Sweden's Royal Order of the Polar Star, one of the country's most prestigious honours.
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