This webcast opens the series of commemorative activities for the «150 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Spain», organised by Casa Asia and the Spanish Embassy in Thailand, in collaboration with the Thai Embassy in Spain, during the months of October and November. The purpose of the series is to make the history of relations of both countries known and to discuss the future challenges within the political, economic and cultural fields.

This webcast will go through stages of the historical relations between Spain and Thailand, from 1540 to the present in the more general context of the Spanish presence in Asia and in particular since the 1870 treaty.

Delivered by:

• Dr. Florentino Rodao García, Historian and Professor at the Complutense University of Madrid, author of the book Españoles en Siam (1540-1939) and co-author with David Almazán Tomás of the article «Following the tracks of the white elephant: the image of SIAM in Spain during the reign of Chulalongkorn (1868 -1910)»
• A vision from Thailand: Dr. Piemsak Hongjamrassilp, Thammasat University, Bangkok

Presented by:
Carmen Díez-Orejas, Director of Casa Asia Centre-Madrid

Moderated by:
Emilio de Miguel, Ambassador for Spain in Thailand

Language of the event: Spanish

Historical Note “150 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Thailand and Spain”

In 1870, 150 years ago, the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation was signed between Spain and Prathet Thai, then known as Kingdom of Siam. In 1939 the country adopted its current name of Thailand. Relations between both countries go back to the end of the 16th century, with Spain, after Portugal, being the second European country to establish regular contacts with the Kingdom of Ayutthaya.