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The history of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Thailand could be traced far before this modern era. In search of this historical facts in many aspects on social life, cultural and other of ancient heritages of the two countries would be easy to find in both countries. Throughout the history of the two countries, the peoples and cultures of both countries have been interacting with each other since Sriwijaya and Majapahit era. Through exchange civilization, the two peoples have cherised cultural heritage, religion, architecture or even literature that share the root of similar civilization. No doubt, the cultures between two countries, though each distinctive and unique, were nursed in a common cradle. The evidence of the long, unbroken cultural ties between two countries are all around from Borobudur to Ramayana dances and to Ayam Bangkok. It also believes that several fruit plants which are now growing in Thailand were brought from Indonesia during the visit of the Thai monarch to Indonesia, as symbol of friendship of the two countries.
The bilateral relations between Thailand and Indonesia have a unique characteristic based on the spirit of mutual cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on March 7, 1950 Thailand and Indonesia have always been helping each other. Since then, the cooperation between the two countries have been built significantly in various fields such as economy, trade, science and technology, cultural and many others, broadened by the exchange of visits at the highest level as well as many subsequent exchanges of visits of the leaders of two countries.
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Most significantly, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) paid three Royal Visits to Indonesia in 1871, 1896 and 1901. His son, His Majesty King Prachadhipok (King Rama VII) paid a Royal Visit to Indonesia in 1929. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX), a grandson of King Chulalongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit paid their Royal Visit to Indonesia in 1960. Also, it should be pointed out the significant visits of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn to Indonesia in 1986 and 1985 respectively. Thai Prime Ministers also paid their official visit to Indonesia among others are Prime Minister Kriangsak Chomanan in 1978, General Prem Tinsulanonda in 1980, Anand Panyarachun in 1993, Banharn Silpa-Archa in 1995, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh in 1996 and the current prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra paid a visit to Indonesia twice in 2002 and 2003.
At the same time, it should be also remembered as an important event in line to further of cementing the relations, the first President of Indonesia, Soekarno, visited Thailand twice, in 1958 and 1961. The second President of Indonesia, Soeharto, paid a visit to Thailand five times in 1970, 1977, 1981, 1995 and 1996. The fourth President of Indonesia, K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid, paid visit to Thailand five times between 2000 and 2001. The Fifth President of Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri paid a visit to Thailand in 2001 and 2003, and present
Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhono, paid an
official visit to Thailand in December 2005.
Today Thailand and Indonesia relations continue to move from strength to strength. In line with the cordial relations of the two countries, diplomacy and politic relations are also built accordingly so that the goals could be achieved as expected. Such a good relationship of the two countries could be traced back in various international fora or events, either regional or multilateral. As the same members of ASEAN and other regional and international bodies, Indonesia and Thailand are always hand in hand in the spirit of mutual understanding in order to promoting world peace and prosperity.
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