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.