Taiwan Office Vows Cultural Ties Will Continue Despite Pressure

BANGKOK — July 22, 2026, The Taiwanese government representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Thailand said that he had received no calls from Thai government officials over an alleged attempt by the Chinese Embassy to intervene in the 8th Taiwan Documentary and Film Festival in Thailand. Peter Lan made the remarks after the festival’s opening ceremony at House Samyan, where he was asked about the alleged intervention and whether he had been contacted by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I think I’m here tonight to make sure that we have this wonderful cultural event going on,” He said. “I encourage everyone to focus on the wonderful and iconic movies.” “I have already said my personal view on the interpretation of those movies, so I will not go further,” he added. Lan said the festival had received support from various partners and that, so far, there had been no contact from Thai government officials regarding the matter. Asked how Taiwan plans to promote cultural ties with Thailand through film amid the current circumstances, Lan said cultural exchange remained an important part of the relationship between the two sides. “As you can tell from the name, it is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. So, of course, this will be very important when it comes to exchange and understanding between Thailand and Taiwan,” he said. Lan pointed to progress in trade, investment and business opportunities between Taiwan and Thailand, saying cultural exchange represented another important pillar of bilateral relations. “Tonight, when we are showing our iconic movies, all 17 of them, we are focusing on another pillar of these relations. And this will continue, and we will strive to do so,” he said. The Taiwanese films and documentaries will be shown from 22 to 26 July, at House Samyan, Century Sukhumvit in Bangkok, and Pratudang Space in Khon Kaen. Asked why the alleged interference had occurred for the first time in the festival’s eight-year history, Lan expressed confidence in Thailand’s commitment to cultural exchange. “The host country is Thailand, and Thai people are peace-loving, democratic, supporting freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” he said. “So we have every confidence that we can continue this kind of exchange between Taiwan and Thailand.” Earlier during the event, Lan also spoke about the family-focused themes portrayed in the films being screened at the festival. Referencing a Thai saying that “those who have no music in their heart are truly strange and peculiar,” he said viewers might reach a similar conclusion after watching the films, that families without empathy, compassion, respect and love are “truly strange and peculiar.” “If you watch those movies, you understand that if somebody claims to be your family member but knows only pressure, coercion and threats as a means to communicate with you, that’s not family,” he said. “Family members need to know empathy, compassion, respect and love.” He then stopped short of offering further interpretation, saying audiences had the right to form their own opinions. “After all, we are in a democracy, right? So enjoy your movie tonight,” he said. The post Taiwan office vows cultural ties will continue despite pressure appeared first on Khaosod English.