Washington, Bangkok celebrate golden jubilee of ‘sisters cities’

BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) - Washington DC, US capital, and Bangkok, Thai capital, celebrate their golden jubilee of sisters' cities this year. Signing an agreement in Washington on Friday to celebrate the auspicious occasion were Washington DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray and visiting Bangkok Governor Mom Rajawong Sukhumbhand Paribatra amid a joyful atmosphere. During the signing ceremony, the Washington DC Mayor and the Bangkok Governor stressed that relations between the US and the Thai capitals will be further tightened and the two capitals will support activities aimed at enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and exchanges of culture and education, with a joint committee in charge of the missions to be later set up. The Washington DC Mayor and the Bangkok Governor also exchanged gifts as part of the celebration, with the former giving a global crystal and the latter presenting the replica of Thailand's Supannahong or Royal Golden Swan Boat to the former. Several activities have been held over the past 50 years, after the US and Thai capitals agreed to become sisters cities. On July 4, 1963, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or BMA presented a bronze bell with the height of 130 centimetres and 70 centimetres in diametre as a gift to Washington DC's people on the occasion of the United States' Independence Day. The bell has been on display at the US Capitol Hill since then. Meanwhile, the Democrat Bangkok Governor told Thai News Agency (TNA) that he has decided to contest for the new election of the Bangkok governorship to be held over the next eight months, as he wants to carry on pending BMA projects, especially the monorail development plan. (TNA)