Karachi: Suwat Kaewsook, Consul General Royal Thai Consulate in Karachi has said that over 70,000 Pakistani tourist visited Thailand last year and the number is expected to increase this years.
Suwat Kaewsook during a meeting with the members of travel Industry said that besides being famous as shopper’s paradise Thailand is also fast becoming a hub for medical tourism. It is one of the best in Southeast Asia for hospitals and reliable service, health check-ups, heart diseases, beauty surgery.
He said over 33 million international tourists visited Thailand last year making Bangkok as one of the busiest destinations in the World. Besides Bangkok other destinations in Thailand such as Phuket, Pattaya, ChiangMai, ChiangRai, Hua Hin etc are also very popular among tourists.
Suwat Kaewsook said that Thailand has the world’s best street food which is cheap, delicious, tasty, clean and available everywhere. Halal street food is also available. He further said that with so much potential there is a very big space to cooperate between Pakistan and Thailand and Thai consulate is ready to work with travel agents for mutual benefit of both the brotherly countries.
Nattakorn Chunhacha, Country Manager Pakistan Thai Airways said that Thai Airways in operating daily to Karachi and Lahore and five time a week to Islamabad and is planning to add another frequency to Islamabad soon.
President Pak-Thai Friendship Association & Business Forum Arif Suleman said that with international arrivals of 33 million visitors Thailand earned $46 billion last year. These excellent figures have encouraged Thailand to offer more value based attractions thus making it the world’s preferred destination. Apart from leisure, MICE, Medical and Sports Tourism are also getting popular.
Arif Suleman also announced that a FTA with Pakistan and Thailand is expected to be signed in May this year.
Asim Suleman, Director Best Buy Travels introduces Thailand Elite as world’s first country membership offering benefits along with an opportunity to stay in Thailand for a year and beyond without immigration reporting.
Yahya Polani, Chairman Polani Group appreciated the Thai government for making tremendous achievements in the field of tourism with 33 million arrivals generating $46 billion. He also assured the Consul General of his all-out support in sending more Pakistani tourists to Thailand.
Nadeem Shareef, Chairman TAAP and Chairman Aroma Travels urged Suwat Kaewsook to also make efforts to bring tourists from Thailand to Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is a beautiful country and has much to offer to its visitors.