April 19, 2002 - Thai Embassy in the US: Remarks by Ambassador Nitya Pibulsonggram Peace Corps Thailand Fortieth Anniversary Celebration Friday 19 April 2002 At the Residence of the Ambassador of the United States, Bangkok

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Thailand: Peace Corps Thailand: The Peace Corps in Thailand: April 19, 2002 - Thai Embassy in the US: Remarks by Ambassador Nitya Pibulsonggram Peace Corps Thailand Fortieth Anniversary Celebration Friday 19 April 2002 At the Residence of the Ambassador of the United States, Bangkok

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Remarks by Ambassador Nitya Pibulsonggram Peace Corps Thailand Fortieth Anniversary Celebration Friday 19 April 2002 At the Residence of the Ambassador of the United States, Bangkok



Remarks by Ambassador Nitya Pibulsonggram Peace Corps Thailand Fortieth Anniversary Celebration Friday 19 April 2002 At the Residence of the Ambassador of the United States, Bangkok

Remarks
by
Ambassador Nitya Pibulsonggram
Peace Corps Thailand Fortieth Anniversary Celebration
Friday 19 April 2002
At the Residence of the Ambassador of the United States, Bangkok

Ambassador and Mrs. Johnson,
Dr. Harmon, Peace Corps Volunteers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is indeed a pleasure for me to be here this evening to join with you in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Peace Corps presence in Thailand. I would like also to congratulate the 34 new volunteers from class 113 who were sworn in today. They join the 42 Peace Corps volunteers who have preceded them in Thailand and who are doing a good job in human resources development and health care in many rural areas of the country.

You know that Ambassador Johnson was a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand in the 190s. Many remember him as Khun Damrong. He was among the earliest volunteers to come here. We are glad and proud to welcome him back to Bangkok in his present and exalted position. I understand that the visit to Lampoon by the Ambassador earlier this year was an emotional one. And it is was clear that throughout the years he had kept in touch with his many Thai friends. What this shows is that the bonds of friendship can be lasting and are valuable in fostering people-to-people understanding. This is foreign affairs with a human face. I agree with you, Ambassador Johnson, that Peace Corps volunteers are among “the very best ambassadors the United States sends into the world.”

For those of you who have been here and are here now, you should be fully aware that you have made-and are making – a direct contribution to the long and happy relationship between Thailand and the United States – a relationship that is 167 year young.

We became your first Asian ally when we signed the 1833 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. And we remain one among only five of US treaty allies in Asia. The United States played a vital role in the period after WWII what has kept Thailand independent and stable. In the Post WWII period through the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cambodian Problems, the Gulf War, the situation in East Timor and now in the fight against terrorism, our political and security interests have kept us close because they coincide.

While our political leaders continue to remind us of our common values that include democracy and fundamental freedoms, few programs of activities can rival those of the Peace Corps in furthering these values at the grassroots level.
A salient feature of the Peace Corps programs is to help Thais learn to be self-reliant, to have faith in self-effort and resourcefulness, to work together for the greater good of their own community. I think it is an effective approach to development, not just here in Thailand but also elsewhere in other continents.

Many Peace Corps volunteers have become leaders in their own community back in the USA. You have now a member of Congress and several congressional staffers. They know us Thais very well. And that sometimes made my work easier when I served as ambassador in Washington. Or, if not easier, then always challenging!

After 40 years of volunteer service, the Peace Corps is still going strong. And there is very reason to believe that the volunteers will continue to be important ambassadors here in Thailand and in other countries in the world.

President Bush recognized this in his State of the Union Address, when he said there is a need for America to be better understood around the world. And vice versa, I would add. As such the Peace Corps is a strong instrument for development, better understanding, and for peace. President Bush also announced that he would strengthen Peace Corps programs globally.

Let me now take this opportunity to thank the veteran volunteers for their personal contributions to Thailand in so many ways. And also thank the Thai and international staffers who have been a part of these worthy programs.

I wish the new volunteers much success and satisfaction in your endeavors here in the days and months to come.



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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Thailand; Diplomacy

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