Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: AFP/VNA) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has declared 2019 the “Year of ASEAN Culture,” introducing the English publication of “Vivid ASEAN.”
Chairing the declaration ceremony, Gen Prayut said Thailand will use the diversity of the vivid culture that exists in Southeast Asia as a key tool to strengthen relations between member countries.
The ceremony was attended by Culture Minister Veera Rojpojanarat, high-ranking officials, and ASEAN diplomats.
The prime minister took the opportunity to hand out copies of the English version of Vivid ASEAN to ASEAN diplomats from nine countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Bolstering the diversity of ASEAN cultures, their similarities and differences, the 200-page book has 13 chapters on topics ranging from food, architecture, costumes, lifestyle, cultural performances and religions. It concludes by showing how Thailand is a multicultural nation.
In his remarks, Gen Prayut said Thailand is honoured to lead ASEAN this year as it plans year-round activities to strengthen ASEAN relations through the promotion of cultural events.-NNT/VNA
VNA
