Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam met the Governor of Yogyakarta Special Province Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X at the latter's office in Yogyakarta on Friday, prior to the commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Thailand.

"This is a chance to forge relations between Thailand and Yogyakarta," Kreangam said after the meeting.  

Thailand and Yogyakarta have established longstanding relations that date back 100 years. In fact, Thai King Rama V, King Rama VII and King Rama IX frequently visited Yogyakarta to forge relations with the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Kingdom, he said.

"A few years ago, the Thai princess also brought military students from Thailand to Yogyakarta and the (Yogyakarta) Sultan himself hosted a party in honor of them. This is an honor for Thailand," he said.

Stating that Thailand saw Yogyakarta as a cultural, educational and historical city, he said, "Many Thai students are currently studying in Yogyakarta. We must always support them because they come to Yogyakarta to study history and Islam."

The Thai government is also eager to strengthen tourism cooperation with Yogyakarta because Yogyakarta is home to cultural heritage, including Borobudur Temple, which is well known in Thailand, he said.

During the meeting, Kreangam was accompanied by a number of representatives from the Thai Embassy in Indonesia. (ANTARA)