On 9 June 2011, Her Excellency Mrs. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and H.E. Mr. Marut Jitpatima, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Pakistan, presided over a handling over ceremony of Thai rice donated by the Royal Thai Government to the Government of Pakistan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. Also present at the ceremony were Mr. Syed Hasan Javed, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific), Dr. Zafar Iqbql Qadir, Chairman of National Disater Managament Authority (NDMA), Mr. Chanchai Jiamboonsri, Deputy Chief of Mission, senior officials of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, as well as the Royal Thai Embassy staff. The well-prepared ceremony was followed by a tea reception. 

                        In his speech given on the occasion, H.E. Mr. Marut Jitpatima, Ambassador of Thailand, highlighted Thailand’s relief contributions to Pakistani flood victims.  He said that Thailand understood too well difficulties and challenges faced by Pakistan as the Thais themselves have had direct experience of national disasters as well, but that under the guidance of able Pakistani Government, there was no doubt that government-led rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts would be successful. Thailand stands ready to contribute to the efforts.  Last year, the Royal Thai Government and the people of Thailand at all levels, including members of the Royal Thai Family, donated money and more than 8 tons of relief items such as medicines and medical supplies, wheelchairs, insecticide treated nets and blankets, which were flown by the Thai C130 aircraft to Pakistan (October 2010).  This year the Royal Thai Government is very pleased to donate 20,000 tons of Thai rice worth US$ 14,000,000 and money amounting to US$ 4,260 raised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Islamic Bank of Thailand to assist flood victims in Pakistan.  The Thai contribution, valued at more than US$ 14,700,000 so far, is part and parcel of the spirit of solidarity and active co-operation by all sectors in the Thai society to mobilize humanitarian assistance to help our Pakistani friends in need. It is also a true demonstration of such readiness and a clear testimony to the strong and long-lasting friendship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

                        In her reply speech, H.E. the Minister of State expressed, on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, deep appreciation for and thanks to H.E. the Ambassador of Thailand and through him to the people and the Royal Thai Government for the generous relief assistance.  The Minister of State said, among other things, that “it is profoundly moving that the Government and people of Thailand have stood beside us through the entire period of the natural disaster that hit Pakistan last year. However, this mammoth task of rehabilitation could not have been possible without the assistance of our friendly countries amongst which Thailand stands in the first ranks. For the people of my country, affected by the worst flooding in our nation’s history, the unprecedented support of Thailand is comforting and deeply appreciated.”