The Thailand embassy in Doha is planning to organise a series of cultural activities and events in the coming months to celebrate the 89th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadeji on December 5.
“The recent ‘Muaythai Roadshow in Qatar’ last month was a huge success in promoting traditional Thai boxing in the country and we plan to organise such event again,” Thai ambassador Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum told Gulf Times.
The envoy believes that cultural co-operation is a way to promote better understanding of both countries at people-to-people level.  
The Thai embassy has been holding various cultural and traditional shows in the country, bringing Thai performers and artists every year.
Some of these performances included puppet shows, martial arts, masked dance, and food festivals, among others held at different locations such as Katara – the Cultural Village, Qatar National Theatre, Qatar National Convention Centre, and Al Khor.
In some occasions, the Thai embassy also organises cultural events with other Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) embassies in Doha such as the Asean Day celebration at Katara.
A number of food festivals are also organised at the embassy aimed at further promoting Thai cuisine to Qataris and various expatriate communities.
“Appreciation of each other’s cultural uniqueness and diversity is what deepens the relation of our two countries and it is the key to make this friendship long-lasting,” Chaiyindeepum said.
Bilateral ties between Thailand and Qatar have blossomed for the past 36 years since the establishment of diplomatic relation in 1980, the envoy noted.
A number of high-level visits, as well as agreements and memorandum of understanding between the two countries, covering a wide range of issues such as defence co-operation, civil aviation and technical and media co-operation took place during this period, he said.
At the regional level, Thailand and Qatar have closely co-operated within regional frameworks such as the Asean-GCC Dialogue and Asia Co-operation Dialogue, of which both countries are founding members.
“We are working hand in hand to further strengthening our relations in many areas,” Chaiyindeepum said.
He also lauded Qatar’s rich cultural heritage, a factor that can attract tourists from around the world.
“With the fast expansion of Qatar Airways’ flight routes and the growth in service industry, Qatar is on the right track towards becoming another famous tourist destination,” he noted.