Thailand and Australia will hold a range of activities this year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, said Busadee Santipitaks, Thai ambassador to Australia.
The countries began a formal diplomatic relationship on Dec 19, 1952, Ms Busadee told FM 88MHz Radio Thailand in cooperation with the MFA Thailand Channel.
To commemorate this, she said, Thailand and Australia will be arranging activities throughout the year ahead of formal celebrations on Dec 19.
The activities will follow a first event already held at the Australian embassy in Bangkok on Jan 21 and that featured the "70 Years Thailand–Australia Relationship Logo Design Award", which was presented to Chanida Phengkhuntod. The logo contest was held last year with Ms Chanida announced as the winner in December.
"The logo is very special because it reflects the characteristics of Australia and Thailand through the colours of both countries' flags," Ms Busadee said. "It also reflects the national animals of Thailand and Australia -- the elephant and the kangaroo. This stresses the longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation which have continued to bind the two countries through seven decades."
She mentioned there are also plans for a video featuring 70 people, Thais and Australians, who have contributed to the bonds formed between the two countries.
The Thai ambassador said she plans to visit various Australian states and participate in local activities. Thai film festivals will be organised in Australia and related lighting displays will be arranged at both Australian and Thailand landmarks.
Ms Busadee added that a highlight activity to be held in Australia will be for promoting the role of Thai elephants in the country, as some of the animals are now at Melbourne Zoo and Sydney's Taronga Zoo.