Tourism Key Component in 120th Anniversary of Japanese-Thai Diplomatic Relations

Japan and Thailand marked 120 years of diplomatic relations by the official visit of Gen. Surayud Chulanont, the Thai Prime Minister, to Japan during April 1-5, 2007. The visit underscored the intrinsic relationship between both countries that has weathered adversity for some four centuries. Starting in the 17th century, Japan and Thailand have consistently maintained contact through domestic upheavals, world wars and the changing global economic and political environment. This has been partly due to the unbroken chain of a strong monarchy that the two nations enjoy, with monarchs and royal family members exchanging visits to this day. However, travel between commoners of Japan and Thailand through the years has played a much more significant role in terms of generating income and creating bilateral understanding.
Dr Suvit Yodmani, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, was among senior Thai government officials to be in Tokyo and Osaka to foster relations with his Japanese counterparts. He attended several high-level meetings to advance the Japan-Thailand Tourism Exchange Year 2007 project, which is a collaborative effort of the tourism bodies of Japan and Thailand to enhance a closer tourism relationship through activities spread throughout the year in both countries.
During the Thailand-Japan Business Investment & Tourism Forum in Tokyo on April 4, Dr Suvit cited the close ties of the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Thailand and the vast investment in Thailand by a number of Japanese multinational companies, as well as Japanese funding for huge infrastructure projects like Suvarnabhumi Airport.
He highlighted the healthy number of Japanese visitors to Thailand, which totaled 1.3 million in 2006, an increase of 7% over 2006. Many Japanese visitors came via the 134 direct weekly flights linking the two countries. During the course of his visit in Japan, he mentioned time and again that Thailand considers Japanese tourists to be quality tourists, meaning that they come to the country to find cultural and spiritual enrichment and appreciate the local hospitality. It goes without saying that happy tourists generally spend more and stay longer than those that are not, and Japanese visitors to Thailand are a good example of this, contributing nearly US$10 billion to the Thai economy in 2005.
Dr Suvit said he thought there is substantial room to grow for student exchange programs between Thailand and Japan and that Thailand can still attract an increase in the number of Japanese people coming to Thailand to play golf, to participate in long stay programs, to partake in chic and trendy pastimes, and to engage in MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) activities.
Accompanying Dr Suvit on the Japanese trip was Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and some members of TAT’s marketing team, who had meetings with top Japanese travel agents and the media. All of them expressed a keen interest in the tourism developments of Thailand and upcoming events and projects, many of which are part of the 120th anniversary celebrations. Of note are Thailand’s participation in Japanese cultural activities in Fukuoka and Osaka in May and October 2007, respectively, and Japanese participation in local festivals in the Thai provinces of Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani, and in Bangkok.