(L to R) Anuwat Phuwaset,
president of Lampang Chamber of Commerce; Thawatchai Thierdpaothai,
Lampang governor; Suttha Saiwanit, deputy governor of Mae Hong Son;
Chaowalit Saeng-Uthai, Chonburi permanent secretary; and Supranee
Siriarphanont, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, Lampang
Chapter, during the opening ceremony of the Lanna market at Central
Festival Pattaya Beach.
Warunya Thongrod
Lampang officials showed off goods from four northern provinces
in hopes of landing contracts with Eastern Seaboard customers.
Gov. Thawatchai Thierdpaothai, and the heads of the province’s chamber
of commerce and Federal of Thai Industries chapter showcased products
from Lampang, Chiang Mai, Lampoon, and Mae Hong Son at the Feb. 28
“business-matching” event at the Pattaya Hilton.
Representing the entire region, Thawatchai said his delegation hopes to
spark interest from eastern customers and distributors in the goods made
in the four northern provinces. By making new partners, small northern
manufacturers can gain experience and improve the quality and designs of
their goods before Thailand joins the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.
After the market’s close, Chonburi Permanent
Secretary Chawalit Saeng-Uthai and members of the Pattaya City Council
helped open a public version of the event, called the “Lanna Market” at
Central Festival Pattaya Beach. The market, which ran through March 3,
offered 60 shops offering spa items, bo sang umbrellas, ban thawai
handicrafts from Chiang Mai, fabrics, longan products, carved wood and
sculptures from Lampoon, mud products, tourists services and cuisine
from Mae Hong Son and ceramics, Ban Luk handicrafts and souvenirs from
Lampang.
Thawatchai said the Lanna Market “sells the best of the best merchandise
from the northern states in hopes of boosting and developing the
abilities to expand the investments in Chonburi and the eastern region.”
