19 August 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon attended the commemorative celebration of the 48th Anniversary of ASEAN, held back-to-back with the inauguration of the Centre for Strategic Studies of the Royal Thai Armed Forces on August 07 in Chonburi Province, Thailand. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
The Centre for Strategic Studies is a new training and conference facility built next to Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram Residence. Built in the 1960s, the Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram Residence is a historical venue where the ASEAN founding members (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) discussed the establishment of ASEAN in 1967.
The event commenced with a welcome dinner for Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Thailand on August 06. General Boonsrang Niumpradit, Former Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, led the opening ceremony of the Centre for Strategic Studies, on August 07. ASEAN flags were raised by ASEAN Embassy representatives dressed in their respective national costumes to commemorate the 48th ASEAN Anniversary. This was followed by a speech delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gen. Tanasak Patimapragorn. END