Academic seminar about Thailand in Argentina

(19-04-2013)

On 26 March 2013, Miss Patcharee Poompachati, Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires presided over the opening of an academic seminar to publicize the research “Observing Thainess through Public National Holidays” done by Mr. Ezequiel Rodrigo Ramoneda of the Center of Southeast Asian Studies, at the Institute of International Relations, National University of La Plata.

The Charge d’Affaires gave the welcoming remark that Thailand and Argentina have already established its diplomatic ties for 58 years. Since then, the relations between the two countries have been very well developed, particularly on the people-to-people level including on tourism. However, it was recognized that people in Argentina still have limited knowledge about Thailand. The Royal Thai Embassy, thus, has initiated the project to promote the Thai study in the Argentine academic society by sponsoring an Argentine researcher to travel to Thailand in order to acquire the first hand information about the country. In this regards, the Royal Thai Embassy wishes that these information will be widely publicized to promote the better understanding about Thailand in the Argentine academic society.

Later, Mr. Ramoneda gave a presentation of his research regarding how Thailand has established its nation with the views on history of public celebrations and national holidays in Thailand by looking into the two main time periods during the Bangkok’s King Rama I – III and the King Rama IV – VI. The research stressed the importance of historical background and the role of the Thai Kings in governing, reforming, and administrating the country, as well as the relations between the monarchy, Buddhism, and people, which well reflect in the way how the country celebrates its major festivals and public holidays.

The seminar was followed by the reception hosted by the Embassy which was well attended by approximately 30 guests of university’s professors, researchers, and students. In this occasion, the Embassy had also prepared the “Thai coconut pudding” for the guests.