(VNF) - At a ceremony in Hanoi on March 23^rd, the outgoing Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam, Manopchai Vongphakdi, has been honoured with the ‘For the cause of Peace and Friendship among Nations’ insignia by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO).

The event drew the participation of officials and representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association, the Thailand’s Embassy in Vietnam and VUFO.

Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Manopchai Vongphakdi (third from left) receives the insignia from VUFO Vice President in-charge cum Secretary General Don Tuan Phong (second from right). (Photo: Quang Viet/VNF)

The insignia is the highest award recognising inpiduals and organisations that have made significant contributions to consolidating and strengthening friendship between the Vietnamese nation and other nations for peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

Presenting the insignia to the Ambassador, VUFO Vice President in-charge cum Secretary General Don Tuan Phong stressed that the insignia acknowledges the diplomat’s contributions to promoting the cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Thailand during his 2-year term.

The bilateral multifaceted cooperation and friendship have witnessed impressive development while the plan of action to deploy the strategic partnership in the 2014 – 2018 period has also seen significant progress over the past years. Thailand has become one of the 10 biggest foreign investors in Vietnam and the two nations are striving to bring bilateral trade to USD 20 billion by 2020, Phong stressed.

The bilateral cooperation in various fields, including security-defence, law and judiciary, culture, labour and tourism has been expanded and strengthened, while people-to-people exchanges have helped increase mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two nations. In last November, the two friendship associations successfully organised the 8^th General Conference and gained important common perceptions in the implementation of bilateral cooperation programs in 2018 and the following years, Phong noted.

Meanwhile, he expressed his belief that the Thai Ambassador would continue to promote Vietnam-Thailand relations, friendship and cooperation in any role he takes on in the future.

Delegates at the ceremony pose for a group photo. (Photo: Quang Viet/VNF)

In reply, Vongphakdi said he it was an honour to for him to receive such insignia, affirming that the Vietnam-Thailand and Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Associations play an important role in people-to-people exchanges. Vongphakdi also stressed that in any position, he will foster people-to-people exchanges, contributing to the development of bilateral relations./.

Translated by Hien Trinh