In 1998, a contingent of The Royal Thai Army joined the multi-national peacekeeping force set up by the United Nations in Timor-Leste (East Timor). It was tasked with restoring peace and security, and facilitating humanitarian assistance in the country.
Thai soldiers played an important along with their counterparts from several other countries in bringing peace back to the country which had been ravaged by a spate of violence triggered by a referendum that led to the country’s independence from Indonesia. This year marks the 20th anniversary of that historical event.
On this occasion, Thai PBS plans to produce a news documentary to recall the historical transition and the role played by Thai soldiers. The project is being supported by Timor-Leste Press Council.
On September 23, a memorandum of understanding on contents and production cooperation was signed between Thai PBS and Timor-Leste Council. The agreement covers three main areas of collaboration that include mutual support for filming and production, training and internship, and exchanging of news and documentary.
Signing the document on behalf of Thai PBS during a ceremony held at its headquarters was its Director General Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilasinee Phiphitkul while the Timor-Leste Press Council was represented by its Chairman Mr. Virgilio da Silva Guterres.
“We see this opportunity as a way to enlarge our small nation by exploring more experience from Thailand, as a big brother in the region. So, we expect that this move will enable us to have more chances to increase the quality of our professional in providing news to public particularly through Timor-Leste Press Council” says Guterres.
Deputy Director General of Thai PBS Pipope Panitchpakdi said the cooperation agreement with Timor-Leste Press Council reaffirms the Thai public broadcaster’s commitment to enlarge its collaboration with other broadcasters and media organizations in the region. The news documentary on the historical transition of Timor-Leste will be the first step of such cooperation with Timorese media.
Pipope noted that the news documentary will focus not only on the role played by the Thai troops in the peace-keeping operation, but also another important aspect that won the hearts and minds of local Timorese. And that’s the introduction of “sufficiency economy” initiated by the late King Bhumibol to Timorese community, especially in the city of Baucau where a Thai army unit was also based.
