Thailand's outgoing Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont (R) , on behalf of the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, bestowed a "Super Thai Crown Medal" on Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jiuhuan in Bangkok, Thailand on February 1, 2008 for his contribution to promoting friendship and cooperation between Thailand and China.

Thailand's outgoing Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, on behalf of the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, bestowed a "Super Thai Crown Medal" on Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jiuhuan on Friday for his contribution in promoting friendship and cooperation between Thailand and China.

According to Thailand's royal codes, the "Thai Crown Medal" is endowed by the Thai monarch to a local or foreign individual as a recognition for his or her special contribution to the Thai nation and people. The medal has six classes, in which the "Super Thai Crown Medal" is the top class.

Thailand's outgoing Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont (L) poses for photos with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jiuhuan in Bangkok, Thailand, February 1, 2008.?

After presenting the medal to Zhang at the prime minister's residence in Bangkok, Surayud congratulated the Chinese Ambassador for being granted the honor, and expressed high appreciation for Zhang's continuous efforts since taking the post in Thailand in promoting relationship between two countries and peoples. He said he was confident that the Thai-Sino traditional ties will be closer in the future.

Zhang, who has been China's Ambassador in Thailand since 2004, thanked Surayud for bestowing the medal on behalf of the Thai King, saying that the honor belongs to all people who work for promoting Thai-Sino ties.

He also said he would continue to contribute to bringing the two countries closer, and extends good wishes for the Thai King's health and the prosperity of Thailand.
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(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2008)