Bangkok, October 1 (AseanAll) — On September 30, 2026, at Capella Hotel Bangkok, Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana disclosed that Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul attended a gala dinner to celebrate the Day of German Unity which falls on October 3 of each year.
Upon arrival, he was welcomed by Michael Reiffenstuel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand, to whom he presented a flower vase as a gesture of goodwill. On this occasion, the Prime Minister, together with distinguished guests, paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati. The national anthems of Thailand and Germany were, then, played, followed by the opening remarks from the Ambassador and the Prime Minister’s congratulatory speech.
The Prime Minister expressed pleasure to join in celebrating the Day of German Unity. He thanked the Ambassador for the warm welcome and for his words of sympathy and solidarity with the Thai people during the challenging times, while also extending a cordial welcome to the Ambassador who has recently assumed his tenure in Thailand.
On behalf of the Government and people of Thailand, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere congratulations to the Government and people of Germany on the 36th anniversary of the Day of German Unity. The Ambassador’s remarks underscored the fact that “unity” is not something that occurs automatically, but must be built through courage, perseverance, and trust. Germany’s peaceful reunification significantly demonstrates how people can overcome divisions and jointly shape a shared future. According to the Prime Minister, this year’s theme, “Many strengths, one country” reflects that unity does not mean uniformity, but rather that a nation grows stronger when diverse regions, communities, and traditions jointly shape a shared future.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the enduring friendship between the two countries. Germany is Thailand’s largest trading partner among EU member states, and German companies have long played a vital role in Thailand’s industrial development. Today, both countries are building upon this foundation of cooperation into new areas, particularly advanced industries and innovation, clean energy, education, and skills development.
The strongest ties between Thailand and Germany often arise from people-to-people relations. More than 100,000 Thais reside in Germany, while many Germans have chosen Thailand as their home or return frequently, making Thailand their second home. The Thai people are known for their “Sabai Sabai” way of life, while the Germans for their discipline and precision. These differences, however, may be the reason why the people of both countries complement each other so well.
As Thailand and Germany will celebrate the 165th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, the Prime Minister called on both sides to create more opportunities for their people to learn, work, and grow together, especially at a time when international cooperation is of importance.
In closing, the Prime Minister once again congratulated the Ambassador of Germany, wishing him happiness and success in his tenure in Thailand, and reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to work closely to further strengthen long-standing friendship between the two countries. He concluded with the German phrase “Vielen Dank” (“Thank you very much”).
The Ambassador, then, invited the Prime Minister and guests to raise a toast to His Majesty the King of Thailand, accompanied by the Royal Anthem, followed by the Prime Minister inviting the Ambassador and guests to toast to the President of Germany, with the German national anthem performed, before a group photo was taken.
