Saudi ambassador to Thailand sees ‘a prosperous and promising future’ for bilateral relations

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand were officially restored in January this year. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 November 2022
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Saudi ambassador to Thailand sees ‘a prosperous and promising future’ for bilateral relations

  • Investment opportunities are many thanks to similar development priorities, Abdurrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Suhaibani tells Arab News
  • He says the crown prince’s recent visit will contribute to accelerated steps for enhancement of bilateral and trade relations

BANGKOK: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Bangkok last week has opened not only a new chapter in Saudi-Thai ties but also new horizons in which officials and the people see a promising future for both kingdoms.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand were officially restored in January this year, during Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s trip to Riyadh, when the two countries agreed to appoint ambassadors for the first time in over three decades.

The crown prince arrived in Bangkok as a guest of honor at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit hosted by Thailand on Nov. 18-19 and became the first Saudi official to make such a trip.

“It was the first visit at the level of the Kingdom’s leadership since the establishment of relations between the two countries in 1957,” Abdurrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Suhaibani, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Thailand, told Arab News.




In welcome messages, many Thais wrote it was an “honor” for them to see the Saudi crown prince in their country. (SPA)

“It will move the relations of the two countries to broader horizons and a prosperous and promising future.

“It will also contribute to accelerating steps that will enhance bilateral, economic and trade relations between the two countries by exploring potential investment opportunities in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the development priorities of Thailand.”

The crown prince’s meetings with the Thai leadership have yielded numerous memorandums on energy, investment, tourism, anticorruption efforts and the normalization of diplomatic relations.

When the crown prince arrived in Bangkok, he was officially received by the country’s top leadership and royal family and unofficially by many others, especially from the younger generation, who took to social media to welcome him and set up online fan clubs.

In welcome messages, many Thais wrote it was an “honor” for them to see the Saudi crown prince in their country.




“I think Thai people are looking and are expecting more cooperation with Saudi Arabia,” Abdurrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Suhaibani, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Thailand, told Arab News. (Supplied)

Photos and videos from the visit went viral and made the rounds with captions such as “Warm welcome, Prince,” “This is what people in the country (Thailand) want,” “Happy: Thai-Saudi relations are very close after 32 years,” “Long live MBS.”

“The relations now seem to be on the right track and will grow stronger and more comprehensive in the coming period,” Al-Suhaibani told Arab News.

“The Saudi embassy will focus on implementing and following up on the agreements and memoranda of understanding that were signed during this historic visit.”

Tanee Sangrat, director-general of information at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and soon-to-be Thailand’s ambassador to the US, told Arab News that the visit was “closely watched and followed by the Thai people in Thailand and around the world.”




Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s trip to Riyadh in January. (Shutterstock)

He said: “We look to Saudi Arabia as a country that has great potential. The crown prince and prime minister is very widely well respected by our people.

“I think Thai people are looking and are expecting more cooperation with Saudi Arabia.”

With the restoration of ties with Saudi Arabia, Thailand has found not only a new powerful partner in navigating volatile energy markets and energy transition, but also, as many have said, a “gateway” to the Middle East, where Thailand’s presence is not very strong.

 

 

The restored relationship would give not only Thai exporters but also investors more access to opportunities in the Gulf and beyond.

“This is a big, big issue for Thailand. Saudi Arabia is a critical partner in the Middle East,” Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Bangkok-based Institute of Security and International Studies, told Arab News.

“That is a gateway for Thailand to re-engage and re-enter Middle East markets. Without the Saudi Arabia relationship, a lot of doors were closed. Now, more doors will be opened.”

Suppalerk Aramkitphotha, a business development professional, saw the crown prince’s visit as a “great opportunity.”

“We are very glad that we have this opportunity,” he said, citing the business prospects between Thailand and the Middle East that would now be facilitated.

Jirayut Srupsrisopa, the founder of the first Thai fintech startup to notch up a valuation of more than $1 billion, said he was glad that the Saudi crown prince visited Thailand and new bridges were built.

“Now we can do so much more between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. We can work with Saudis for the future of energy, the future of green hydrogen or future growth in other aspects like the digital economy,” he told Arab News, adding that there would also be opportunities such as medical tourism.

Thailand, where healthcare services are well developed, already has agreements with countries such as Kuwait and Qatar for receiving patients. A deal with Saudi Arabia is likely to be a part of the two countries’ relations going forward.

“We are famous for medical tourism,” Jirayut said. “Everyone can come here, have a nice holiday, nice beach, nice mountains, nice hotels, nice services. And they can get their teeth done. They can recover. They can have a health checkup here at a fraction of the cost elsewhere.”

But there is much more to the renewed ties than business opportunities.

Referring to the potential role that culture can play in cementing the re-established Saudi-Thai relationship, Ambassador Al-Suhaibani said: “There are many similarities between the two countries, particularly in hospitality, generosity, friendliness and, most importantly the richness of culture.




Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Thai Prime Minister witness the exchange of several MoU between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. (Supplied)

“This will encourage us to strengthen relationships and communication between our people, as well as to promote constructive dialogue in many aspects of social, cultural and religious (life).”

This kind of exchange is what Thais have waited for a long time.

Voralak Tulaphorn, a marketing professional, said a Saudi presence is something that was missing from the multicultural landscape of Thailand for a long time.

“Saudi Arabia and (Thailand) actually have rich cultures, and with rich cultures it would be nice to have exchanges in everything from food and nature to fashion and handicrafts.”

For her, what holds the greatest promise as a means of bringing Thais and Saudis together is an appreciation of each other’s cuisines. Food is a good way to win hearts and spread cultural influence.

“I think people love Thai street food,” Voralak told Arab News, adding that she hoped that soon Saudi restaurants would start emerging in Bangkok. “We would love to taste Saudi Arabian food too.”

 


Saudi aid agency KSrelief boosts medical services in Egypt, Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp

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Saudi aid agency KSrelief boosts medical services in Egypt, Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp

  • Various clinics provide pediatric, eye, dental, emergency treatments, and open-heart surgeries for needy people

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has stepped up its healthcare services to reach more beneficiaries in Egypt and Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp.

KSrelief’s clinics provided comprehensive medical services to 2,564 Syrian refugees at Jordan’s Zaatari camp during the last week of September, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

During this period, the general medicine clinics treated 680 patients, and the internal medicine clinic saw 79 patients with diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.

The pediatric, emergency, dental and two gynecology clinics attended to 318 children, 314 patients, 109 patients, and 220 females, respectively, at the camp.

Also, the ear, nose, and throat clinic saw 43 patients with various infections. In addition, the eye, cardiology and diagnostic radiology clinics treated 80, 20 and 31 patients.

The health education department served 72 beneficiaries, and 2,340 medical prescriptions were filled at the pharmacy.

A team of volunteers including 14 specialist doctors performed 28 pediatric heart surgeries in Alexandria, Egypt, from Sept. 24 to 30.

The procedures included 23 open-heart surgeries and five cardiac catheterizations, all performed with a 100 percent success rate, said the SPA.

The project was a part of KSrelief’s efforts to provide critical healthcare services to people in need across the world.

“The surgeries were part of a volunteer medical project aimed at providing life-saving heart procedures for children from low-income families,” reported the SPA.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief provides food aid in South Sudan, Syria, Kyrgyzstan

Updated 17 min 34 sec ago
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief provides food aid in South Sudan, Syria, Kyrgyzstan

  • 3,700 families benefited from KSrelief food aid in South Sudan including the displaced, elderly, and people with special needs

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief recently distributed food aid to vulnerable communities in South Sudan, Syria and Kyrgyzstan, according to separate reports from the Saudi Press Agency over the past few days.

In Syria, 6,870 earthquake-affected individuals in Idlib received 1,310 food packages and 1,310 hygiene kits.

As a part of KSrelief’s Food Basket Distribution Project in Bahr El-Ghazal state, South Sudan, 3,700 families benefited including the displaced, elderly, and people with special needs.

The aid agency also provided 435 food parcels in Talas, Kyrgyzstan, benefiting 2,175 individuals. This is a part of the 2024 food aid distribution project that aims to secure 8,100 packages for 35,000 individuals.

“This effort is part of a series of relief and humanitarian projects provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to support needy and affected groups worldwide,” the SPA reported.


Riyadh forum spotlights women’s leadership roles

Updated 07 October 2024
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Riyadh forum spotlights women’s leadership roles

  • Award-winning journalist encourages Saudi women to shape their narrative through media
  • Baria Alamuddin: Saudi Arabia is the heart of the Arab world in every sense of the word

RIYADH: The Creative Women Forum, held in Riyadh on Monday, gathered female leaders from around the world to discuss entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, technology, wellness, art, and sports.

Baria Alamuddin, an award-winning journalist and broadcaster in the Middle East and UK, and the editor of the Media Services Syndicate, delivered a keynote speech, urging Saudi women to engage with the media to share their stories.

“Saudi Arabia is the heart of the Arab world in every sense of the word,” Alamuddin said.

She shared stories of meeting, working, and interacting with Saudi women, adding she had “never seen women love their country like the women in Saudi Arabia,” and that she had “met some of the strongest women” in the Kingdom.

In an interview with Arab News, Alamuddin expressed her passion for highlighting Saudi women, explaining that she had been frustrated by not knowing enough about them.

After visiting the Saudi Arabia and meeting women in leadership positions, she was amazed by their drive and dedication to the country's development.

“I knew these women were strong, passionate, and driven, with a genuine desire to impact the development of their country,” Alamuddin said.

“Every time I visit the Kingdom, I am amazed by the progress of Saudi women.”

Alamuddin is one of the many distinguished female leaders speaking at the forum.

The two-day event focuses on business, startups, investment, health, female leadership, sports, sustainability, technology, and other key areas. It includes workshops, panel discussions, and question-and-answer sessions with industry experts.

Other topics at the forum include cultural and social transformation, finance, equality in careers, and women’s health and well-being.

Speakers included Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to the US; Princess Noura Al-Saud, patron of the Creative Women Forum; Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO and founder of the digital health company SDM; and Dr. Basma Al-Buhairan, managing director at C4IR.


Madinah governor receives German ambassador

Updated 07 October 2024
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Madinah governor receives German ambassador

  • The German Embassy in Riyadh recently hosted the 34th Unity Day celebration at the ambassador’s residence in Riyadh

MADINAH: Madinah’s Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan received German Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Kindsgrab in Madinah on Monday.

The parties discussed topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The German Embassy in Riyadh recently hosted the 34th Unity Day celebration at the ambassador’s residence in Riyadh. The day marks the reunification of East and West Germany on Oct. 3, 1990.

Kindsgrab told Arab News that Hajj and Umrah were two of the many areas in which Germany and Saudi Arabia were cooperating. “That is just one example of how we can establish more people-to-people contact,” he said.

 


The silent gamer: How Xzit Thamer captivated a global audience through silent acting

Updated 07 October 2024
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The silent gamer: How Xzit Thamer captivated a global audience through silent acting

RIYADH: In the world of content creation, few have managed to carve out a niche as distinctive as Saudi gamer Xzit Thamer. Known for his innovative approach to silent acting, Thamer has attracted a global following by relying solely on physical comedy and expressive gestures rather than verbal communication.

His ability to connect with audiences across various cultures has set him apart in the crowded gaming landscape.

Xzit Thamer’s journey began in 2019 and his videos gained traction shortly afterwards, garnering millions of views during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an introvert, he found solace in creating content while many were confined to their homes.

“When corona hit, I was happy,” he said. “I used this energy to create my content. The boom in my popularity coincided with lockdown, and I focused on being different from typical gamer content creators.” His approach resonated with viewers who were looking for light-hearted entertainment during challenging times.

Thamer describes his style as akin to that of Mr. Bean, the beloved character known for his slapstick humor and minimal dialogue. “I have many followers from the US, UK, Spain and Brazil because I don’t talk,” he said.

“I always wanted to be known globally, and I didn’t want to be like other gamers who only stream. I wanted to be different.” His commitment to silent acting has allowed him to reach a diverse audience, transcending language barriers and cultural differences.

Xzit Thamer captivating his audience with silent comedy, blending gaming and physical humor for a global fanbase. (Supplied)

One of Thamer’s primary goals is to increase the percentage of people who play video games. He believes that silent acting can attract those who might not typically engage with gaming content.

Thamer described how he aspires to have an impact across the world with his content. This ambition is evident in his work as he combines visual humor with gaming themes, creating a brand that appeals to both gamers and casual viewers alike.

On social media, Thamer operates under two distinct personas. The first is dedicated to his silent acting, where he uses exaggerated expressions and physical comedy to convey emotions and humor. The second persona focuses on gaming and anime pack openings, where he speaks Arabic and engages with fans in a more traditional format. “Some people don’t know I’m the same person on both channels because my energy is different,” he said, laughing. “Most people didn’t know I was Arab.”

Anime pack opening has become a significant part of Thamer’s content since he ventured into this area in 2022. The activity involves unboxing collectible cards items related to anime. The excitement of revealing rare or valuable cards keeps viewers engaged, turning each video into a thrilling experience. Thamer often opens packs from popular franchises such as Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh, beloved by fans of all ages.

The interaction during these pack openings is electric. Thamer’s dynamic presence draws in audiences, whether he is revealing a rare card or sharing his enthusiasm for a new collectible. “Kids get really excited when I open the packs,” he said, emphasizing the joy he brings to his viewers. This live interaction has helped him to build a loyal following, as fans eagerly anticipate his next reveal.  

Thamer’s approach caught the attention of the esports community, leading to an exciting opportunity at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. There, he was granted his own activity focused on anime pack openings at Boulevard Riyadh City. This event allowed him to engage with fans in person, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the content creation space. “It was an exciting event where I interacted with my audience and opened packs in front of them,” he said. The energy and excitement at the event showcased his ability to connect with fans on a personal level.

As a content creator, Xzit Thamer has embraced the challenges and opportunities that come with his dual personas. Balancing silent acting with traditional gaming commentary requires creativity and adaptability. “I had to learn how to engage my audience in different ways,” he said. His versatility enables him to appeal to a broader audience while staying true to his own style.   

Xzit Thamer captivating his audience with silent comedy, blending gaming and physical humor for a global fanbase. (Supplied)

The impact of his work extends beyond mere entertainment; Thamer has become a role model for aspiring content creators in Saudi Arabia and beyond. His experience demonstrates that innovation and authenticity can lead to success in the digital world. By combining silent acting with gaming, he has crafted a distinctive identity that resonates with viewers across the world.   

https://www.instagram.com/xzit_thamer/

Looking ahead, Thamer is focused on expanding his reach and continuing to innovate within his content creation. His ambition to increase the gaming community’s visibility and engagement remains a driving force in his work.   

In an increasingly crowded digital landscape, Xzit Thamer has proven that sometimes, less is more. His silent yet expressive approach to content creation captures the essence of universal humor, allowing him to connect with fans around the world. As he continues to grow his brand and explore new avenues within the gaming community, there is no doubt that Xzit Thamer will leave an indelible mark on the world of content creation.