Dr M to get honorary Thai doctorate
Award is a recognition of PM’s leadership by local academics, says ambassador
BANGKOK: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be conferred an honorary doctorate from Thailand to mark the country’s admiration for his leadership.
Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel said the Rangsit University (RSU) will be conferring the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership in Social, Business and Politics to Dr Mahathir tomorrow during its convocation ceremony.
“This award is an honour and recognition of the leadership of Dr Mahathir by Thai academics. This will also boost the image of Malaysia and further enhance bilateral relations between the two countries,” said Samuel.
RSU president Dr Arthit Ourairat will confer the award to Dr Mahathir.
The award had only been previously bestowed upon two world leaders – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
Established in 1990, Rangsit University is a top private university, which collaborates with various public universities in Malaysia.
Samuel hoped the award would open doors to more cooperation between academics and students of both countries.
As Thailand holds the chair of Asean next year, Samuel said the PM understood the importance of such an award from Thailand.
Samuel pointed out that there were many pending issues yet to be worked out between both countries.
These include border demarcation, the south Thailand peace process and ongoing discussions on the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex at the border.
“This is his second visit to Thailand since he became the seventh PM and this working visit right after his official visit in October signifies his friendliness with Thailand as an important neighbour. It will be a short but meaningful visit,” said Samuel.
Dr Mahathir, his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah will arrive today.
They are scheduled to attend a dinner with top officials from the university.