According to The power of culture for development by UNESCO, culture is an evolving dynamic force relevant to all societies, local or global. Thus, this Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations is an important event that provides an opportunity to share and deepen our understanding of the value of different civilizations in order to live and prosper together peacefully. Asian civilizations are diversified and ancient. For Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, it can be said that culture and civilizations from India and China are two notable important ones that have been exchanged and learned since the old time.Through the centuries, India has been a source of Thailand’s inspired civilizations. Acceptance did not result in an indiscriminate manner but only those influences and practices that were suitable to local Thai ways of living. Many literary works were created based on Indian epic – Ramayana to share moral values of good deeds to conquer bad ones. Buddhism came from India in 3rd century BCE and has played a significant role in Thai culture and society.China also has played a major role in exchanging culture with Southeast Asia in the manner of mutual learning. Thailand would serve as a good example in this respect. Close cultural exchanges between China and Thailand initiated a long time ago in history from Sukhothai, first Thai kingdom, in chinaware or ceramic manufacturing. Chinese porcelain techniques later were transferred to Thai craftsmen and further adjusted and developed into Benjarong, which is famous five-color ceramics of Thailand. Without exchanging and learning artistic innovation from China, there would not have been artistic work of Benjarong in Thailand. In Ayutthaya, later Thai kingdom, trade relations between the two countries were flourished opening up an opportunity for Thailand to learn extensive Chinese cultures.Overseas Chinese have played a key role also in becoming a bridge promoting friendship between Thai and Chinese people. Comparing diasporas in Thailand with other Southeast Asian countries, Chinese counts as the largest one. Thai Chinese sustain ties with their traditional culture and carry this linkage to Thailand. At present, Chinese culture is embedded in Thai society as perceived in many practices adopted by Thai such as traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese-style exercise (Kung Fu), Chinese literature (The Three Kingdoms) and varieties of Chinese cuisines (Beijing Ducks, Dim Sums, steamed buns). The cultural similarity between Thai and Chinese like celebration of Lunar New Year festival is also widely-celebrated in Thailand.On the other way round, civilizations have become richer and more colorful through exchanges and mutual learning. Thailand is trending in China due to increased cultural and people-to-people exchanges as an engine driving the social bond between the two cultural communities. Presently, more and more Chinese are gaining a better understanding of Thailand, especially Thai cultures.In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. Culture makes a significant contribution to tourism.Compared with other destinations, Thailand remains popular among Chinese tourists. They prefer Thailand for beautiful temples, food like Pad Thai and unique Thai spa and massage. Most of all, they are impressed with Thai characteristic that makes Thai culture, the Thai way of life, unique experiences to all visitors who visit Thailand.The above illustrates how exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations have become a universal bridge to enhance friendship between global communities while serving as an economic and social driving force for the betterment of humanity’s future. In recognition of this, at international level, UNESCO has called for all nations for inclusion of culture in sustainable development programs at local, national, and international levels. At regional level, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reflects this same notion in its ASEAN Strategic Plan for Culture and Arts 2016-2025. President Xi Jinping of China has launched China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or Twenty-First Century Silk Road to promote peaceful global cooperations and joint development having people-to-people bond as one of its major priorities.Thus, we all are thankful to China for convening this important event for the best benefit of all civilizations in Asia and those of the entire world. As the host country, we look forward to fruitful and tangible outcomes and initiated joint efforts from all nations to promote exchanges between different civilizations. Let me end my speech by quoting UNESCO that “Culture is a renewable resource if it is carefully nurtured for it to grow and flower. When neglected, it is easily lost or destroyed.” So, let us join our best endeavors in nurturing the flower of civilization to develop a global community of shared future of mankind.