Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Dili, October 14th, 2016
Condolences to Thailand
The Government conveys its deepest condolences to the Thai Royal Family and the Thai people on the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The King was Thailand’s reigning monarch for 70 years and played a vital role in guiding Thailand’s social and economic development.
The King’s passing on the 13th of October, after a long illness, will be followed by a 12 month period of mourning.
Throughout his reign King Bhumibol was focused on people centered development and initiated thousands of projects across areas such as agriculture, irrigation and public health. In the context of the close relationship between Timor-Leste and Thailand, some of His Majesty the King’s ‘Sufficiency Economy’ projects were established in rural areas close to Dili in 2003. Thailand was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste in 2002 and contributed military personnel, police and members of the civil society after the referendum in 1999 and during the following transition to democratic government.
Government Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “at this difficult time of loss we express our solidarity with the people of Thailand, convey our condolences to the Royal Family and pay our respects on the passing of the King.” ENDS