The Times Kuwait Report
The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuwait hosted a reception on Tuesday evening at the Regency Hotel’s Al-Maha Ballroom to celebrate Thailand’s National Day, which falls on December 5 and commemorates the birthday anniversary of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
The occasion is also observed as Father’s Day in Thailand.
Mrs. Uraiwan Courtaud, Chargée d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy, welcomed diplomats, dignitaries, Thai nationals, and friends of Thailand, expressing her gratitude for their presence.
She extended special appreciation to the Guest of Honor, Ambassador Sami Essa Johar Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, whose attendance she said reflected the enduring friendship between Thailand and Kuwait.
This year’s celebration carried a tone of reverence as Thailand continues to mourn the recent passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
Courtaud highlighted the Queen Mother’s lifelong dedication to the Thai people, noting her decades of work alongside King Bhumibol during his long and celebrated reign. She emphasized Her Majesty’s contributions to rural development, the preservation of traditional arts and crafts, women’s empowerment, environmental conservation, and social welfare.
To honor the late Queen Mother’s legacy, the Embassy invited guests to visit a cultural photobooth featuring eight traditional Thai dress styles — known as Chut Thai Phra Rajaniyom — developed under Her Majesty’s initiatives to preserve Thailand’s national garments.
Courtaud also spoke warmly about the strong people-to-people connections between Thailand and Kuwait, noting how deeply Kuwaitis appreciate Thai culture and hospitality. She recalled the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1963, followed by the opening of the Thai Embassy in Kuwait in 1983 and Kuwait’s Embassy in Thailand in 1997.
Over the past six decades, cooperation between the two nations has expanded across trade, investment, tourism, education, and other sectors, fostering what she described as “mutual understanding, friendship, and goodwill.”
Healthcare cooperation remains one of the most promising areas of partnership. Courtaud highlighted Thailand’s global reputation in medical and wellness services and pointed to the Embassy’s recent “Rediscovering Health and Wellness Tourism in Thailand” event, held in September.
The forum brought together executives from leading private hospitals in both countries to discuss collaboration opportunities aligned with Kuwait Vision 2035, particularly in strengthening healthcare quality, empowering the private sector, and enhancing citizens’ well-being.
She further noted that Thailand and Kuwait share a strong commitment to multilateralism, international law, and peaceful dialogue. As founding members of ASEAN and the GCC respectively, both countries have the potential to serve as bridges linking Southeast Asia with the Gulf region.
In closing, Courtaud extended best wishes to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand, His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait.
The reception featured cultural displays and opportunities for guests to engage with Thailand’s heritage, reflecting the enduring warmth of the Thai-Kuwaiti relationship.
