November marks an important month in the long history in relations between Thailand and Belgium with the Thai-Belgian Friendship project.

Perhaps the most lasting symbol of Thai-Belgian relations is the Belgian Thai Friendship Bridge, a partnership between the Belgian Ministry of Public Works and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The bridge was built in 1988 in less than 24 hours and was the first fly-over in Bangkok, according to Belgian ambassador Marc Michielsen.

However, Thai-Belgian relations are steeped in history – almost 150 years of it. The first bilateral trade treaty was signed in 1868. Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns, a Belgian lawyer, diplomat and general adviser to HM King Rama V between 1892 and 1901 was bestowed with the title of Chao Phya Abhai Raja, the highest distinction ever granted to a foreigner.

Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz, a distant relative of Rolin-Jaequemyns, is the Chairman of the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij Foundation established in his ancestor’s honour.

In addition to preserving the memory of Rolin-Jaequemyns, the organisation carries out many projects to benefit disadvantaged children, and to provide them with an income, such as the construction of the state-of-the-art Chiang Rai Hill stadium, which van der Straten Ponthoz believes is one of the best private football stadia in the world.

In November, the foundation will instigate the Thai-Belgian Friendship project. Van der Straten Ponthoz believes it is a natural extension of the cordial relations between the two countries.

“You can say we [Thailand and Belgian] have been friends forever,” he says. “There is also a genuine friendship between the Thai and Belgian royal families.”

The Belgian Thai Friendship Bridge was inaugurated in the presence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and when it was modernised in 2013, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgian attended.

“We do this project because of that friendship,” says Van der Straten Ponthoz.

The Thai-Belgian Friendship project will involve a series of events that are open to the public. The Thai-Belgian Bridge will be decorated from October 18 to November 30, and a sky strain given a Thai-Belgium wrap throughout November. There will also be a photographic exhibition of royal visits from November 1 to 8 and a Gallothai Thai-Belgian (Chocolate) Bridge Exhibition from November 5 to 8, both at Siam Paragon.

The event will also focus on the economic ties between the two countries, with an Economic Forum at ABAC (Assumption) University, Suvarnabhumi Campus, introduced by Dr. Kirida Bhaopichitr, senior economist at The World Bank on November 4.

“Exports from Belgium to Thailand increased in 2013 by 5.7%,” says Belgian ambassador Marc Michielsen in an interview with local media. “These are mainly chemical products, precious stones including diamonds, metals, machinery and equipment and plastics. Exports from Thailand to Belgium mainly consist of machinery and equipment, precious stones, metals, plastics and transport materials.”

More exclusive events, such as a photographic exhibition cocktail party, in the presence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Siam Paragon on November 1 and a commemorative brooch charity gala dinner at the Plaza Athenee on November 3 are designed to raise money to help support the Thai Border Police build schools in remote areas of Thailand. The project concludes with a Thailand Elite Royal Portraits Cocktail Party at the Plaza Athenee on November 9.

For van der Straten Ponthoz, despite the importance of the country’s economic ties, it is the educational benefits of the project that he feels are more important. “The economic forum is interesting for the business community but the students are the future,” he says.

Words by: Mark Bibby Jackson

For more information on the Thai-Belgian Friendship project, visit: facebook.com/thaibelgianfriendship2015