Germany grants 16 billion baht to Thailand for climate change projects

Thailand is set to receive a significant contribution of 422 million euros (16 billion baht) from Germany, intended to fund various projects addressing climate change impacts. The announcement was made by Ernst Reichel, the German Ambassador to Thailand, during a press briefing yesterday.

Reichel, who assumed his diplomatic role two months prior, underscored that climate change mitigation is a prime concern for Germany. He noted that both Germany and Thailand have experienced first-hand the repercussions of climate change, with dry summers, violent storms, and severe flooding becoming increasingly frequent.

“We’re facing the same challenges in the transition to a sustainable future.”

Reichel stated that Thailand is among the top nations benefitting from Germany’s financial aid to combat this global issue.

In a bid to formulate effective strategies against climate change, the German embassy in Bangkok is planning a conference on December 7. This event aims to address how Germany, Thailand, and other nations can jointly tackle this worldwide threat.

On a different note, Reichel expressed Germany’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. He conveyed Germany’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence in response to the Hamas terror attacks on October 7. These attacks claimed the lives of over 1,400 individuals, including infants, women, and the elderly.

The victims also included 34 Thai workers, and an additional 24 were taken hostage by Hamas, reported Bangkok Post.

“Of course, we also hold Israel to the standard international humanitarian law, even though Hamas violates the same law in many ways.”

Reichel also touched on the pressing matter of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He stated that Ukraine is in a struggle for its existence and that Russia’s invasion breaches the international security border established by principles outlined in the United Nations Charter.

Addressing the state of democracy in Thailand, Reichel observed that convictions under the lese majeste law appear to be continuing without any discernible shift.

Prior to his assignment in Thailand, Reichel served as the German ambassador to Greece. His diplomatic career, spanning 16 years, has seen him stationed in eastern and southeastern Europe, including Russia and the former Soviet Union. This is his first diplomatic assignment in Asia.

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