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 Bahrain |  Thailand |
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The kingdoms of Bahrain and Thailand share bilateral relations, established diplomatically in 1972.
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Bahrain | Thailand |
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The kingdoms of Bahrain and Thailand share bilateral relations, established diplomatically in 1972.
Thailand and Bahrain first established relations in 1972, a year following the independence of the Gulf Arab nation from the United Kingdom. Historically, Bahrain and Thailand shared mutual common of historical civilizations developed in both countries. [1] Since 15th century, Arab traders, including those from the Gulf nations, began establishing its foothold in then-Siam, the old name of Thailand, and the link between Thailand to many Arab nations, notably the Gulf where majority came from, including Bahrain, continues to even today. [2]
Since 1990s, Thailand and Bahrain signed a major framework on economic cooperation, thus effectively making them important economic partners. [3] Today, Thailand is a major investor in Bahrain.
In March 2019, Bahraini Prime Minister and Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, during his participation in the Thai Culture and Food Festival held in capital Manama, praised Thailand and expressed wish to promote the relations. [1]
The latest new business venture between the two countries is a new 6,700-square-metre (72,000 sq ft) Thai shopping centre in Manama, set to launch in the first half of 2019 and described as an opportunity for Thai small and medium-sized enterprises to reach a huge potential market of Saudi shoppers, [4] said to be the biggest economic centre in Bahrain, with import and exports between the two countries expected to be worth around US$400m annually. [5] [6] On November the same year, Thai Mart, Thailand's largest chain store, officially opened its supermarket in Bahrain to boost the relations. [7]
Economic cooperation between Thailand and Bahrain also experienced significant rise, as both are commonly monarchies. [8] Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul had said in 2012 that the relationship between Thailand and Bahrain "was very close and strong" and also disclosed Bahrain Prime Minister was a "close personal friend" of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and had "donated roughly $2 million of his own money" to Thailand for flood relief. [4]
The Al-Khalifa family has a close tie to the Chakri dynasty and members of Bahraini Royal Family frequently tour Thailand for tourist purposes. [4]
In August 2019, Thailand launched its first online health tourism in Bahrain. [9]
In 2013, Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi fled the country, and arrived in Australia after traveling to Thailand, where he was granted refugee status in response to repressive methods by the government on Bahraini protesters and tortures on him. [10] [11] However, in November 2018, Hakeem was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand at the request of Bahraini authorities. [10] [12]
The arrest of Hakeem in Thailand and accusation of Thai economic interests within Bahrain had led to uproar and protest against the Thai authorities over alleged maltreatment over a political refugee. [4] [13] On 11 February 2019, it was announced by the Thai Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) [14] that the extradition case against Al-Araibi had been dropped by the criminal court at Bahrain's request after pressures from Australia, human rights groups like Amnesty International and FIFA. No reason was given by the foreign ministry, but the decision was made under Section 21 of the Prosecution Act, which allows for cases to be dropped if not in the public interest, and he would be released and allowed to return to Australia as soon as possible. [15]
Bahrain plays a modest, moderating role in regional politics and adheres to the views of the Arab League on Middle East peace and Palestinian rights. Since achieving independence in 1971, Bahrain has maintained friendly relations with most of its neighbours and with the world community. It generally pursues a policy of close consultation with neighbouring states and works to narrow areas of disagreement.
Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa is King of Bahrain since 14 February 2002, after ruling as Emir of Bahrain from 6 March 1999.
Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was a Bahraini royal and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Bahrain from 10 January 1970 until his death in 2020. He took office over a year before Bahrain's independence on 15 August 1971. He was the longest-serving Prime Minister in the world. Under the 2002 Constitution he lost some of his powers, with the King now having the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers.
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa is the Crown prince and the Prime Minister of Bahrain. He is also the deputy supreme commander of the Bahrain Defence Force.
Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa is a Bahraini diplomat who served as Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005 until January 2020. Khalid became only the second foreign minister in Bahrain's history after replacing Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa who then became Bahrain's deputy prime minister.
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, was the ruler of Bahrain from 20 February 1942 until his death in 1961. His title was Hakim of Bahrain. He was succeeded by his son Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa in December 1961.
Al-Shabab Club is a Bahraini football club based in Jidhafs. They used to play in the top division of Bahraini football. They share the Bahrain National Stadium with other clubs.
Bahrain's record on human rights has been described by Human Rights Watch as "dismal", and having "deteriorated sharply in the latter half of 2010". Their subsequent report in 2020 noted that the human rights situation in the country had not improved.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Bahrain:
Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in Western Asia. It is situated on the Persian Gulf, and comprises a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island which makes up around 83 percent of the country's landmass. Bahrain is situated between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway. According to the 2020 census, the country's population numbers 1,501,635, of which 712,362 are Bahraini nationals. Bahrain spans some 760 square kilometres (290 sq mi), and is the third-smallest nation in Asia after the Maldives and Singapore. The capital and largest city is Manama.
Extremely strong and cordial relations exist between Bahrain and Pakistan. Bahrain maintains an embassy in Islamabad and a Consulate-General in Karachi, whilst Pakistan maintains an embassy in Manama. Both countries are members of the OIC and of the G 77.
Political, socio-economic, military and cultural ties exist between India and Bahrain. India is a close ally of Bahrain. As per Indian officials, the Kingdom along with its GCC partners are amongst the world's most prominent supporters of India's candidacy for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and Bahraini officials have urged India to play a greater role in international affairs. For instance, over concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, Bahrain's Crown Prince requested India to play an active role in resolving the crisis.
Bilateral relations exist between Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Bahrain has an embassy in London and the United Kingdom is one of only four European countries to maintain an embassy in Manama. Bahrain gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 and has since maintained strong diplomatic, military and trade relations.
The Manama incident on August 26, 2010 involved the arrest in the Seef shopping mall in Manama, Bahrain, of Fakhria al-Singace, the sister of Dr Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, human-rights spokesperson for the Bahrain opposition Haq Movement. According to The New York Times, three women wearing the niqāb and abaya entered the mall and unfurled a banner reading, "It is forbidden to arbitrarily arrest and detain people". More than a dozen plainclothes and uniformed police officers surrounded them, and Fakhria al-Singace was handcuffed and arrested after being pinned spread-eagled to a cafe table. She was released the next day.
Relations have existed between Bahrain and Israel since Bahrain achieved its independence in 1971. In recent years, relations between the two countries have been thawing, and the countries agreed to establish diplomatic relations in September 2020. The foreign minister of Bahrain Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa has been quoted saying "Israel is part of the heritage of this whole region, historically. So, the Jewish people have a place amongst us." The common threat of Iran has provided common ground for a thaw in what were once tense relations. Bahrain's foreign policy traditionally supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
The 2011Bahraini uprising was a series of anti-government protests in Bahrain led by the Shia-dominant and some Sunni minority Bahraini opposition from 2011 until 2014. The protests were inspired by the unrest of the 2011 Arab Spring and protests in Tunisia and Egypt and escalated to daily clashes after the Bahraini government repressed the revolt with the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Peninsula Shield Force. The Bahraini protests were a series of demonstrations, amounting to a sustained campaign of non-violent civil disobedience and some violent resistance in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain. As part of the revolutionary wave of protests in the Middle East and North Africa following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia, the Bahraini protests were initially aimed at achieving greater political freedom and equality for the 70% Shia population.
Bahrain–Philippines relations refer to bilateral relations between Bahrain and the Philippines. The Philippines has an embassy in Manama whist Bahrain does not have a resident ambassador.
Bilateral relations exist between the countries of Bahrain and Iran. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, relations between the two countries have been strained over various geopolitical issues such as the interpretations of Islam, aspirations for leadership of the Islamic world, and relations with the United States, Europe, and other Western countries. In addition, Iran has been severely critical of Bahrain for hosting the United States Fifth Fleet within the Persian Gulf at the Naval Support Activity Bahrain base.
Historic and current bilateral relationship exist between Bahrain and Japan. Diplomatic relations were first established in 1972, and since then they have had increasing economic, cultural, and military cooperation, with Japan becoming one of the major trading partners of Bahrain. Several high-level official visits have taken place, including by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Japan in 2012, Crown Prince Salman in 2013, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Bahrain in 2013, with the governments of both countries expressing their intent to continue to increase their bilateral relations.
Hakeem al-Araibi is an Australian footballer of Bahraini descent who currently plays for St Albans Saints in NPL Victoria.
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