Amman, Nov. 10 (Petra) -- Thailand's Ambassador to Jordan Jirapon Jirampaikool, said Jordan and Thailand have "steadily" built deeper political and economic ties over six decades, as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations on Tuesday.

Jirampaikool said the bilateral relations date to Nov. 10, 1966, adding that both sides are keen to build on past achievements to strengthen a partnership based on friendship, understanding, commitment and mutual respect.

Speaking at a meeting with journalists in Amman to mark the occasion, she said the the two monarchies enjoy the strongest links, citing efforts of both leaderships to secure stability and prosperity for their peoples.

The diplomat noted that His Majesty King Abdullah II visited Thailand in 2004, 2005 and 2006, adding that the two countries have exchanged visits and held talks between senior officials, and signed agreements and launched initiatives and projects that produced tangible results.

On trade, Jirampaikool said bilateral exchange has risen "steadily" and reached $239.39 million from January to August this year, up from $177.07 million in the same period last year, an increase of nearly 35 percent.

She said about 24,000 Jordanian tourists visited Thailand last year, stating Jordan is also a preferred study destination for Muslim students from Thailand, and several students and members of the Thai community attended the meeting.

Jirampaikool said the embassy, with Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant Jordanian entities, signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a political consultations mechanism between the two foreign ministries. She said the first round of consultations took place in Jordan on Sept. 6, where both sides discussed past cooperation and outlined future cooperation.

She said the embassy is also setting up a trade information center in Amman set to open officially by the end of this month, which would encourage more trade and investment between the two business communities.

The embassy organized a visit by a Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture delegation to Thailand in January to exchange knowledge, expertise and best practices. In July, it organized a visit by a delegation from Jordan's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to Thailand to exchange tourism expertise, she said.

She added that the embassy provided short-term funding during the year for Jordanian officials from the ministries of health, agriculture and environment to attend training courses. The courses aim to develop their practical capabilities and the skills needed for their duties.

Jirampaikool said contact should not be limited to government officials but should extend to relations and cultural exchange between the two peoples. She cited the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, father of Thailand's current king: "The friendship of one government with another is important, but the friendship of one people with another is what surely guarantees peace and progress." On its activities, she said the embassy worked this year to strengthen contact with Jordanians. In September, it held the Thailand Festival at Jara Market for the third consecutive year. The festival introduced the public to Thailand and offered traditional dishes, dances, music and Thai folk games.

She said the embassy also reached out to young people and supported charitable and community activities. In May, it organized a Thai cooking course and competition at Luminus Technical University College.

It also organized Muay Thai training for boys from the Umm Al-Hussein Charity Association and set up a Thai corner for children at the Al-Bunayat Center for Special Education.

Jirampaikool said she hopes the 60th anniversary will help bring the two peoples closer across all segments of society, particularly through educational, professional and cultural exchange.

She said Jordan and Thailand have achieved many successes through joint efforts and should look ahead and build on them to further strengthen the partnership.

Several Thai students who studied at Jordanian universities described their experiences, praising the respect and help they received during their studies, citing Jordan's hospitality and coexistence among religions and different segments of society.

Jirampaikool renewed Thailand's "firm" commitment to work with Jordan to elevate and strengthen the partnership over the next decade and beyond, up to the 200th anniversary of relations between the two countries.

//Petra// NQ