สถานเอกอัครราชทูตไทย ณ กรุงมะนิลา

Mr. Santichai Euachongprasit
Deputy Governor for International Marketing
Tourism Authority of Thailand

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honour to welcome you all to the Amazing Thailand Products Presentation 2009. I would like to take this opportunity? to thank our Filipino friends for joining in this special event. The Amazing Thailand Products Presentation proudly brings to Manila and Cebu the diverse and interesting facets of Thai culture, arts, cuisine and tourism.

This year is the celebration of the? 60th Anniversary of Thai-Philippine Diplomatic Relations. This event which is hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International will foster closer ties and deepen mutual understanding between our respective people through cultural exchange, with highlight on the tourism industry.

The unique value of the tourism industry in providing jobs and generating income to people from the countryside, Thailand puts emphasis in its promotion as one of the leading engines of growth. The recent meeting of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and His Excellency Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya included tourism cooperation within ASEAN countries and is expected to further boost tourism activities between Thailand and the Philippines through the Single Visa Project. Moreover, Thailand issued a new policy which provides tourist visa free of charge for a period of 3 months to encourage more tourists to visit Thailand.

Widely known as the Land of Smiles and Land of Opportunities,? today?s event will showcase key travel destinations around Thailand as well as niche products packaged under the theme ?Seven Amazing Wonders of Thailand? which includes, Thainess, Treasure products, Beaches, Nature, health and Wellness, Trendy and Festivities. In 2008 alone, more than 200,000 Filipinos traveled to Thailand to enjoy these various attractions.

Thailand has provided international standard facilities and infrastructure for tourists to travel through Thailand from North to South and East to West. I am confident that those who already visit Thailand is familiar with Thai hospitality extended to tourists from every part of the world.

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Indeed, I truly believe that this event will increase the cooperation and opportunities between our two countries in the area of tourism industry promotions. Once again, it is with pleasure that I welcome you all and I look forward to the success of the Amazing Thailand Products Presentation 2009.

I hope you will all enjoy today?s event and allow me to take this opportunity to invite all of you to visit Thailand and experience for yourselves the friendly, safe and many amazing wonders of? Thailand. Thank you.