Today marks the second anniversary of my arrival in India. How time has flied and
how fortunate I am to have been able to discover so much of this Incredible India.

The other evening, I was on stage as chief guest of Khun Korakot Chatasingha, General Manager, THAI Airways International, in launching the first direct flight of THAI Smile, THAI Airways' sub-brand, from New Delhi to Phuket. This THAI Smile flight together with THAI Smile direct flights from Mumbai to Phuket and Ahmedabad to BKK from 31 March will increase TG overall strength to India from 51 to 57 flights a week.

THAI Airways launch party of two direct flights ; Delhi-Phuket, Mumbai-Phuket

I told the travel industries and other guests present that I was delighted to associating myself with Thailand’s top quality brand names and their success stories. THAI Airways certainly stands out in its achievement so far since its first operation to Calcutta 53 years ago.

Tourism Authority of Thailand is another one for its crowding success in achieving over
a million mark of Indian tourists to Thailand in 2012, making Thailand most popular destination overseas and India joining the ranks of top six countries with their visitors to Thailand surpassing a million mark. The real credit must however go to all the Thai citizens who have welcomed Indian visitors with their open arms, beautiful smile and gracious hospitality.

When there are more flights connecting cities in Thailand and India, the benefit is always two ways, meaning THAI bringing more Thai and internatioanl tourists and business people from the popular hubs such as Bangkok and Phuket to major cities in India as well.

That was my message at the closing ceremony of 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Ahmedabad on 11 January presided over by the Honorable Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi and over a thousand foreign and Indian businessmen in the new Mahatma Mandir convention hall. I told the Government of Gujarat that I stand ready to be its spokesperson for tourism
in Gujarat and urge them to do a roadshow in Thailand so that more Thais will become aware of amazing places in Gujarat from Mahatma Gandhi Ashram in Gandhinagar to the white desert in Kutch covering an enormous area of 18,000 square km. in winter and the emerging Buddhist circuit in and around Vadodara. Since Thai tourists are generally big spenders, they should also enjoy shopping of handicraft and diamond in this pro business, safe but dry state of Gujarat.

Ambassador Pisan announced at Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013
the first direct flight to connect Ahmedabad with Bangkok

Another occasion of my association with the top brand name of Thai companies was early this month when I joined other Team Thailand for the opening of showroom of Hydrobaths Ramco Private Co., Ltd, a joint venture of SCG, Thailand leading company with more than
30 branch offices worldwide and already 2 in India. Their huge showroom displaying leading construction and bathrooms quality products cannot be in a better location than Gurgaon.
I had the pleasure of inviting SCG representative in New Delhi to my Team Thailand which meets once a month to discuss various agenda items on how to enhance Thai business interests and promote tourism in India.

SCG first showroom in India


SCG top quality bathroom products

Over the past 2 years, our bilateral relations have never been closer. The two official visits of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to India in January and December last year augur well for the future direction of our cooperation in all fields. In two month time, they may have another opportunity to meet and review the important areas of our strategic cooperation. Meanwhile, both sides will have to work harder to conclude the remaining issues for the liberalization of trade in services and investment, hopefully by the end of 2013.

I look forward to discovering more of India as my team and I plan to visit more states
in the months to come. By visiting thaiindia.net and thaiemb.org.in, I hope you will benefit from some of the latest news, information from Thailand and our own activities all over India.
Please do not hesitate to offer your thoughts and suggestions.

I look forward to hearing from you.