Thailand and Mynamar keen to promote Buddhist Circuit Tourism

In the annual summit held in Thailand, the ASEAN countries resolved to develop the Buddhist Circuit/Pilgrimage Tourism for ASEAN and India. In an effort encourage all members to cooperate together in the tourism promotion and marketing within ASEAN, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been actively working with this project.

The Union of Myanmar is one of the pilot countries which TAT is enthusiastic to join hands in promoting the “Buddhist Circuit”. TAT recently organized an educational trip “Bangkok-Chiang Rai-Thachilek-Kengtung-Bagan-Yangon-Bangkok” during 17-21 February, 2009, headed by Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni, TAT Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning together with representatives from the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), Chiang Rai Tourism Society, as well as travel writers, a total of 22 people.

This trip provided a golden opportunity for the private sector and travel writers from Thailand to meet and share information with their counterparts. This trip was a part of the “Buddhist Circuit” route survey.

Apart from this, with the upcoming hosting of the Buddhism Pilgrimage documentary film production team from India, both countries are optimistic to welcome more cooperation from other ASEAN members which may join to fulfill the ASEAN-India Buddhist Circuit Tourism in the near future.

Lorena Ochoa wins the Honda LPGA for her 25th career title

Women’s World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa fired a six-under 66 and won the Honda LPGA Thailand on Sunday for her 25th career title, easily pulling away for a three-stroke victory in her first event of the season. She finished the event at 14-under-par 274.

Last year, Ochoa had opened with a victory in Singapore in the HSBC Women’s Champions and went on to win five of her first six events.

The top-ranked Mexican star, three strokes behind playing partner Paula Creamer at the start of the round, shot a 6-under 66 to finish at 14-under 274 on the Siam Country Club’s Plantation Course. South Korea’s Hee Young Park shot a 65 and moved into the second place at minus-11. The third-ranked Creamer had a 73, leaving her four strokes back at 10 under.

Thailand and Indonesia object each other over ‘protective’ measures

Last Friday, Thailand’s commerce minister Porntiva Nagasi raised objections about a new Indonesian regulation during the 14th ASEAN Summit. The regulation restricts imports in five key categories of food and beverages, textiles and garments, footwear, electronics and children’s toys to five ports only which are Belawan Port in Medan, North Sumatra, Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang, Central Java, Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java, and in Makassar, South Sulawesi, as well as all international airports.

“We have raised the issue of restrictions on imports to Indonesia’s trade minister, Mari Elka Pangestu, at our bilateral meeting just now, with concerns that this could affect our bilateral trade.Minister Mari has told me that she would look into this matter soon,” said Mr. Nagasai.

Mari said the regulation was imposed to crack down on illegal products adding that even Indonesia was concerned about a number of “protective” measures by the Thai government that had affected Indonesian exports to the country.

“They have got their own issues and so do we. We are in discussions to address all those problems,” she said.

Indonesia and Thailand have both agreed to boost trade and investment in the automotive, fisheries and halal food product sectors in a bid to increase trade among ASEAN members. Indonesian exports to Thailand stood at US$3.2 billion in the first 10 months of 2008 and its imports from Thailand were at $5.5 billion.