TRAVELLIVE 06-2017

of Thai private sectors in Vietnam's
vibrant and promising economy.
Our economic relationship forms
one of the important pillars of the 2
countries' overall bilateral relations,
which last year, we celabrated the
40th Anniversary of Establishing
Diplomatic Relations with series of
activities, covering seminars on trade
and investment as well as cultural
events.
Last year, we also witnessed several
exchange of high-level visits and
meetings between the two countries.
The Royal Thai Consulate-General
in Ho Chi Minh City received
approximately more than 70
delegations from Thailand, ranging
from governmental agencies,
universities, academic institutions as
well as business sector.
What can you say about cultures, arts
and people-to-people diplomacy between
the two countries?
I
always believe that peopleto-people
diplomacy is an
important foundation for
overall bilateral relations
of any countries. Our close
relations dated back even before we
established our official ties in 1976,
as clearly reflected in President Ho
Chi Minh's stay in Thailand in 1928-
1929 as well as Viet kieu (overseas
Vietnamese) communities both
in Thailand and Vietnam, who, in
my opinion, have always played an
important role in promoting and
forging understandings as well as
cultural relations between our two
countries and peoples.
In modern days, people-to-people
diplomacy comes in form of tourism.
I am happy to say that in 2016, there
are more than one million visitors
traveling between Thailand and
Vietnam.
Would you like to give us
recommendations for local Thai
culture exploration in Thailand: what
attractions or experiences in Thailand
you recommend that a person probably
won't find in travel guidebook?
Thailand has much more to offer
beyond skyscrapers, shopping malls
and fun night life. I always encourage
visitors to go beyond guidebook
and discover the authenticity of
"Thainess" through communities and
first-hand local experiences. Many
start-ups business on communitybased
tourism and life-style activities
have pioneered in this area in recent
years, for examples, Local alike and
HiveSter whether to have mid-night
Tuk Tuk Food Tour, exploring the
hidden neighborhoods or Voluntour
combining the volunteer program
with touring. This coincides with
the trend of the new generation who
seeks adventure while traveling with
purpose to create sustainable impact
to the society.
Visitors may also wish to visit the
Royal Initiative Projects around the
country where they can learn more
of His Majesty King Bhumibol
Adulyadej's Sufficiency Economy
Philosophy. During his 70-year
reign, His Majesty the King tirelessly
promoted rural development and
helped improve the lives of poor
people across Thailand. Now some
of these Royal Initiative Projects
are open for tourists to see for
themselves the accomplishments of
the various developments made over
the years.
This year, Thailand aims to offer
"Unique Thai Local Experiences", to
travelers visiting the Kingdom. This
is community-based tourism where
visitors can learn about, for example,
local life of Thai farmers, kick-boxing
or Muay Thai, Thai cooking at a
popular Thai restaurants or indigo
dye with local communities. Not
only it helps promoting community's
economy, but also preserving local
wisdoms for the next generation.
I also wish to encourage tourists to
visit other provinces in Thailand.
Thailand is not only about Bangkok,
Pattaya, Chiangmai or Phuket. I
recently had an opportunity to visit
Ubonratchathani Province, which
offers many distinguished natural
attractions, such as Sampan Bok
(Canyon of Thailand) and Pa Tam
National Park where visitors can
see pre-historic cave paintings from
3,000 - 4,000 years ago. In addition,
visitors, especially from Vietnam,
may enjooy following "Ho Chi
Minh's trail" in Thailand, particularly
in Provinces of Nakorn Panom and
Udornthani.
I would like to ask something more
personal to your experience in Vietnam.
What local encounters which you fi nd so
interesting here?
First of all, it is a very good
opportunity for me to be appointed
as Consul-General here in vibrant
Ho Chi Minh City, which is of course
economic center of Vietnam.
Vietnamese and Thai in general are
known for hospitality and friendly
attitude, while at the same time
remain vigilant and strong in time
of need. What I found interesting
in Vietnam is the high-level of
determination, tolerance and
perseverance of the people towards
their country, not only how they
fought the wars in the past but
also what they will do for unity and
prosperous nation in the future. I also
admire how Vietnam preserves its
culture and traditions by integrating
them into people's daily life.
Sincerest thanks to Madam Ureerat
Ratanaprukse for your time spending
on the interview with TRAVELLIVE
Magazine.
TRAVELLIVE 113