BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has welcomed more than 200 youth delegates from ASEAN countries and Japan as the Nippon Maru arrived in Bangkok for the 49th Southeast Asian Youth Ship Program. The reception ceremony at Bangkok Port was led by a group of high-ranking ministry officials, with senior personnel and representatives from related agencies in attendance.
The delegation includes participants from Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Japan. The visit, which is the 24th time the Nippon Maru has docked at a Thai port, is the vessel’s final operational voyage before retirement.
Launched in 1974 through cooperation between Japan and Southeast Asian governments, the program promotes friendship and mutual understanding among young people in the region. Participants travel together by sea, engaging in dialogue and cultural exchange at each destination. The 2026 voyage began in Japan and includes port calls in Singapore and Thailand from February 11 to 17.
During their stay, delegates will visit major cultural and historical sites, including the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, the National Museum, and Wat Pho. Academic and civic visits are scheduled at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science, the Thai Parliament, and Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, where participants will learn about ASEAN–Japan relations, governance, and Thai culinary traditions.
The program also features a seven-day homestay with Thai host families, offering a firsthand experience of local life and customs. (NNT)
