Remarks by Ambassador Eric G. John
Tree Planting Ceremony
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Jatujak Park

His Excellency Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej,
His Excellency Acting Governor Wallop Suwandee,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a great honor and a sincere pleasure for me to be here this morning to represent the United States of America on the 175th anniversary of U.S.-Thai relations.  It was on this day in 1833, or 2376 in the Buddhist Era, that our two countries officially began our long, close and enduring friendship. 

In fact, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce was our very first treaty with any Asian country, truly making Thailand our oldest friend in Asia.

Since March 20, 1833, ours has been a story about cooperation in times of peace and in times of war; about the exchange of ideas and the exchange of goods and commerce; and about working together to make this region and this world a better place.

Very early in our relationship -- about 150 years ago -- King Rama IV sent a letter to the American president, James Buchanan, offering to send elephants to the United States to aid with our development.  It took the letter so long to get to the United States in those days that President Buchanan had already left office, so President Abraham Lincoln sent a letter back thanking His Majesty for the kind offer, but declining.  He was a great president, but he probably didn’t know how to take care of elephants.  So even in the early years, Thailand and the United States were looking at ways that we could work together for our mutual benefit.

During World War II, the United States supported a small number of brave freedom fighters -- the Seri Thai -- who were dedicated to defeating foreign occupiers.  I am honored that we have a representative from the Seri Thai here today to help us celebrate our important anniversary.   Since then, we’ve worked together in many fields, including health, humanitarian assistance, international security, education and many more.  All of these experiences – from the heroic to the day to day – have forged the bonds of our close relationship.

This is a particularly important time to talk about our relationship because the past two years have been very special.  Not only is this year the 175th anniversary of our relationship, but last year, of course, was the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King.  Also, I believe that the fact that His Majesty the king was born in the United States, just across the Charles River from Boston, explains in part why we feel a special connection to your country and helps lay the foundation for our unique relationship.  Indeed, it is truly inspiring when you stop and think that His Majesty has helped guide our relations for more than 1/3 of our shared 175 years.  

My family and I also feel a personal and profound connection with Thailand.  Our son, Adam, was born here in Bangkok 18 years ago.  Our daughter, Nicole was born shortly after we departed Bangkok 15 years ago.  They are ecstatic to be back in the Kingdom.  Thailand will always be a part of them, and a part of us.

This year, to celebrate our 175th anniversary, the U.S. Embassy is conducting a series of special events, including concerts, special art exhibits, seminars, and performances all to mark the occasion.

This morning, my wife Sophia and I had an experience we will never forget at Wat Pathumwanaram, where we participated in a Sanghathaan ceremony to bless our two countries’ relationship.  It was a very moving experience for us.    

This event here this morning in beautiful Jatujak Park, where we are planting 175 trees to commemorate 175 years of friendship, was borne out of our desire to create a lasting, living memorial to our relationship as well as to support my Thai colleagues’ efforts to make Bangkok a green and healthy city.

Our sincere thanks go to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and its dedicated staff for allocating such a prominent and beautiful spot for the U.S. – Thai Garden.  This has been a collaborative effort between the BMA and the U.S. Embassy and is emblematic of the close cooperation and common purpose that we have shared with our Thai partners throughout the years.

It is my hope that these trees around us will put down deep roots.  Just as our relationship with Thailand is deep and strong, I pray that these beautiful Ratchapreuk trees will bring honor, prosperity and good luck to all those who walk under them. 

This U.S.-Thai Garden is a lasting and living monument to our relationship that will serve, over the course of future generations, to remind all those who visit here that the American people and the Thai people share a deep and abiding bond of friendship.