Thailand’s Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has declared 2019 the “Year of ASEAN Culture,” introducing the English publication of “Vivid ASEAN.”

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: AFP/VNA)

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.

(Source: NNT/VNA)