Pol.Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, Governor of Bangkok, welcomed H.E. Mrs. Helene Budliger Artieda, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Thailand, and Mr. Pierre Chabloz, General Consul and Adviser to the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Thailand, in a courtesy call on the occasion of the ambassador’s assumption of duty and to discuss cooperation on a pilot electric transportation project, or “SHIFT”. Also discussed was the impact of construction projects surrounding the embassy of the Swiss Confederation in Thailand. The Governor of Bangkok presented a replica Bangkok city key and book titled “Arches Honoring the Royal House of Chakri” to the Ambassador as souvenirs.
Relations between Thailand and the Swiss Confederation date back to the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1897 when His Majesty visited the Swiss Confederation. On 28 May 1931, during the reign of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), both parties initialled the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce in Tokyo, Japan, which observed as the Day of Establishment of Thai-Swiss Diplomatic Relations. The signing of the final version of the treaty took place on 2 October 1931.
The BMA established relations with the Swiss Confederation as the Sister City of Lausanne. An Agreement on the Establishment of Sister Cities between Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, represented by M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Governor of Bangkok, and the City of Lausanne, represented by Mr. Daniel Brélaz, Mayor of Lausanne, was signed in Bangkok on 29 December 2009. Areas of cooperation stated in the Agreement include education, culture, tourism & sports, and the environment.
The Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Thailand proposed cooperation with the BMA in the pilot project on electric transportation known as SHIFT. This project seeks to launch an electric vehicle (EV) fleet that will encourage private fleet-operators to follow suit for mobility and logistics services. The EVs will be charged using renewable energy. The project will thereby support the ambition of the Thai government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.
The Ambassador also expressed concern about construction projects surrounding the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in Thailand and their impact on traffic, especially on Ploen Chit Road and Witthayu Road. In this connection, the Governor of Bangkok assigned Mr. Sakoltee Phattiyakul, Deputy Governor, and related BMA agencies to coordinate with the embassy to proceed under the authority of the BMA.
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