27 December 1973

Chatichai visits Beijing

Relations between US-backed Thailand and communist China improved greatly when China agreed to sell Bangkok 50,000 tonnes of high-speed diesel fuel at a ‘friendship price’.

Diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries had been steadily improving over the preceding months and Deputy Foreign Minister Gen Chatichai Choonhavan became one of the most senior Bangkok representatives to visit China in years when he travelled to Beijing to meet with Prime Minister Chou En-lai. The parties also agreed to exchange medical, academic and athletic expertise.

Chatichai described China’s leadership as ‘elder relatives’, reflecting the influence the Chinese had played in Thailand through family ties and inter-marriage. Chatichai invited China’s Council for Promotion of International Trade to meet businessmen and investors in Bangkok.

The visit came after Thais had given a rapturous welcome in June to a table tennis team from communist China, a sign that historically acrimonious relations between Thailand and China were healing.

27 December 1973

Chatichai visits Beijing

Relations between US-backed Thailand and communist China improved greatly when China agreed to sell Bangkok 50,000 tonnes of high-speed diesel fuel at a ‘friendship price’.

Diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries had been steadily improving over the preceding months and Deputy Foreign Minister Gen Chatichai Choonhavan became one of the most senior Bangkok representatives to visit China in years when he travelled to Beijing to meet with Prime Minister Chou En-lai. The parties also agreed to exchange medical, academic and athletic expertise.

Chatichai described China’s leadership as ‘elder relatives’, reflecting the influence the Chinese had played in Thailand through family ties and inter-marriage. Chatichai invited China’s Council for Promotion of International Trade to meet businessmen and investors in Bangkok.

The visit came after Thais had given a rapturous welcome in June to a table tennis team from communist China, a sign that historically acrimonious relations between Thailand and China were healing.