- May 4, 2021
- 3,298
| To: <Aysa Aslan, President of the People’s Republic of Türkiye> Adem From: <Sarabun@gov.mail.go.th> Subject: Bilateral Relationship Security Type: NSST Architecture 1.0 | Secret and Encrypted |
Dear President Aslan,
On behalf of the people of the Socialist Republic of Thailand, I congratulate you on your election and assumption of the Presidency of Türkiye. We welcome the historical transition in your nation, characterized by a remarkable peaceful revolution driven by the collective will of the Turkish people. Thailand formally recognizes the establishment of the People’s Republic of Türkiye as the legitimate and democratic successor state. We acknowledge our shared values in people-centric governance and past tyranny rejections. Both Thailand and Türkiye demonstrably commit to empowering people’s agency and self-governance.
The Republic Thai Armed Forces operates two military bases in Türkiye on the leased areas of Tatvan/Bitlis military base and Iskenderun naval base, housing 10,000 and 20,000 Thai personnel, respectively. Thailand deeply respects Türkiye’s sovereignty and the new government’s authority over its territory. Thailand remains obliged to the original agreement that its military presence is for regional stability and counterterrorism. We have consistently allowed Turkish servicemembers to utilize these facilities and been providing essential maintenance, welfare provision to the local population, and investment in the infrastructure of their localities. Our government is prepared to discuss the future of the bases with the new Turkish government.
Thailand desires to build a robust, positive, mutually beneficial bilateral relationship with Türkiye. We believe that economic cooperation, cultural exchange, technological collaboration, humanitarian cooperation, security cooperation, and governance exchange are the shared interests of our nations. I invite President Aslan to express her vision of Türkiye’s relationship with Thailand and any suggestion for our future cooperation. Thailand would particularly wish to share its experience in institution-building for democratic involvement and creation of a worker-cooperative-led economy, on which we also believe there would be mutual benefits and learning.
In the light of the ongoing Syrian Civil War and Russia’s continued occupation of the country’s coastline, Thailand and Türkiye must promote the right to self-determination of the Syrian people. I suggest that you host our Secretary of Government, Chuan Leekpai, to engage in a high-level dialogue regarding our relationship and the regional issues of the Middle East. In line with Thailand's long-standing tradition of humanitarianism, we also offer our assistance, if needed, to help the People's Republic of Turkey in mitigating any humanitarian problems arising from the recent transition or the ongoing regional crises, such as the Syrian refugee crisis.
Thailand remains committed to building a lasting relationship with Türkiye and we hope that the revolution in your nation marks not only the beginning of a new chapter for your people but also the new possibilities of close cooperation between our countries. Please accept, Your Excellency, the highest assurance of my regard for your people.
The Republic Thai Armed Forces operates two military bases in Türkiye on the leased areas of Tatvan/Bitlis military base and Iskenderun naval base, housing 10,000 and 20,000 Thai personnel, respectively. Thailand deeply respects Türkiye’s sovereignty and the new government’s authority over its territory. Thailand remains obliged to the original agreement that its military presence is for regional stability and counterterrorism. We have consistently allowed Turkish servicemembers to utilize these facilities and been providing essential maintenance, welfare provision to the local population, and investment in the infrastructure of their localities. Our government is prepared to discuss the future of the bases with the new Turkish government.
Thailand desires to build a robust, positive, mutually beneficial bilateral relationship with Türkiye. We believe that economic cooperation, cultural exchange, technological collaboration, humanitarian cooperation, security cooperation, and governance exchange are the shared interests of our nations. I invite President Aslan to express her vision of Türkiye’s relationship with Thailand and any suggestion for our future cooperation. Thailand would particularly wish to share its experience in institution-building for democratic involvement and creation of a worker-cooperative-led economy, on which we also believe there would be mutual benefits and learning.
In the light of the ongoing Syrian Civil War and Russia’s continued occupation of the country’s coastline, Thailand and Türkiye must promote the right to self-determination of the Syrian people. I suggest that you host our Secretary of Government, Chuan Leekpai, to engage in a high-level dialogue regarding our relationship and the regional issues of the Middle East. In line with Thailand's long-standing tradition of humanitarianism, we also offer our assistance, if needed, to help the People's Republic of Turkey in mitigating any humanitarian problems arising from the recent transition or the ongoing regional crises, such as the Syrian refugee crisis.
Thailand remains committed to building a lasting relationship with Türkiye and we hope that the revolution in your nation marks not only the beginning of a new chapter for your people but also the new possibilities of close cooperation between our countries. Please accept, Your Excellency, the highest assurance of my regard for your people.
Best Regards,
Thaksin Shinawatra
Prime Minister
Socialist Republic of Thailand
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