On 30 January 2013 H.E. Mr. Sompong Sanguanbun, Ambassador of Thailand to Hungary, hosted a luncheon, at the Thai Residence, in honour of Dr. Istvan Simicsko, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Hungary and Chairman of Hungary-Southeast Asia Parliamentary Friendship Group, and other selected members of the Group including Mr. Sandor Kali, Socialist Party (MSZP) MP and Deputy Chairman of the Group, and Mr. Zsolt Csampa, Fidesz MP, as well as representatives of Office of International Relations of the Parliament of Hungary.

The two sides discussed ways and means to promote closer relations between parliaments of the two countries as well as organisation of activities to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and Hungary in 2013. The Minister of State expressed his intention to establish the Hungary-Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Group to commemorate the said occasion. The establishment of such a Friendship Group would provide positive contribution to the strengthening of relations between Thailand and Hungary, especially in the field of political cooperation. Furthermore, the Hungarian Minister of State expressed his willingness to co-organise Thailand’s trade and cultural promotion event in Hungary during the upcoming summer season, which will include Thai Boxing demonstration and matches.