Thai Airways International Organizes Chiang Mai Tour for Press from Chittagong

Mr. Pratin Cherdchaikul, THAI’s General Manager for Dhaka, Bangladesh, recently invited leading agents, cargo, import and export companies, and media from Chittagong, Bangladesh, to join THAI’s familiarization trip to visit key locations in Chiang Mai, including tourist attractions, a hospital, a healthcare center, a university, and manufacturers, during 3-6 October. The trip was held to promote business and tourism cooperation between Chittagong and Chiang Mai in response to the government’s policy to promote Chiang Mai as the future Northern Aviation Hub. THAI will also introduce thrice-weekly flight operations on the route Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Chittagong on 11 December 2002.

The party was warmly welcomed upon arrival in Chiang Mai by representatives from the government and private sectors, including the Chamber of Commerce, Tourist Association and TAT’s regional office. The 3-day program included visits to Chiang Mai Ram Hospital, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Green Valley Golf Club and Spa, THAI Cargo, Ban Tawai woodcarving village, Thai Tatami Factory, Elephant Camp, Orchid Farm, and shopping at Kad Suan Kaew and Airport Plaza. 

THAI hosted a seminar at the end of the trip on 6 October, which was chaired by Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Vice President for Sales and Distribution, at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, to allow participants to suggest future improvements and cooperation.

Thailand and Bangladesh have long been in a trading association where Bangladesh exports a range of products to Thailand, including shrimp, fresh jute, fertilizers, naptha, frozen food and jute yarn & twine. Thailand imports cereal, lime, chemical products, plastic, livestock, rubber, cotton, fabrics, glassware, and machinery, from Bangladesh.

Other potential industrial sectors which may boost this bilateral cooperation include healthcare, garment, education, leather products, leather and chemical tanning, tourism, natural gas, and food processing.

The seminar proved a great success towards further promoting business and tourism cooperation between THAI, representatives from Chittagong, Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, Chiang Mai Tourism Association, Tourism Authority of Thailand (Northern region), In addition, the seminar helped strengthen the relationship between Thailand and Bangladesh for future cooperation in other areas.