PHUKET, Thailand – Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsom recently welcomed Kenyan Ambassador to Thailand Lucy N. Kiruthu during a courtesy visit at Phuket Provincial Hall, where both parties discussed expanding cooperation in economic development, tourism, sports, and other areas of mutual interest. Representatives from government agencies, the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand also attended the meeting. During the meeting, Chotinrin informed Ambassador Kiruthu of Phuket’s strengths as an international tourism destination, pointing to its infrastructure, public services, tourism management, hospitality industry, and more than 300 years of cultural heritage. He also proposed greater cooperation in agriculture and sports, including exchanges involving long-distance runners and the sharing of coaching expertise.
Kiruthu said the visit provided an opportunity to expand relations between Thailand and Kenya ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Discussions also involved trade, investment, tourism, and the possibility of establishing a sister-city relationship between Phuket and a city in Kenya. The two officials went on to explore cooperation in maritime logistics, marine resource conservation, and coral reef protection. The Kenyan ambassador also expressed interest in Phuket’s experience in tourism management, sports tourism, the MICE industry, and hospitality. (NNT)
