By Faten Omar

Thailand's Embassy in Kuwait, in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Dubai & Middle East Office, organized an event on Tuesday titled "Rediscover Thailand with Amazing New Chapters of Luxury" at Four Seasons Hotel in Kuwait City. The event was held to boost tourism from the Middle East to Thailand, especially from Kuwait, which is among the top three from the region, as well as promote the new campaign "Amazing New Chapters".

Ambassador of Thailand to Kuwait Rooge Thammongkol said: "We are celebrating 59 years of diplomatic relationship between Thailand and Kuwait this year. Our ties are close and cordial. It is a friendship, partnership, and cooperation based on mutual interests, providing a basis for us to work together in many areas such as trade, energy, investment, education, sports and tourism."

The ambassador revealed that three years ago, around 70,000 Kuwaitis traveled to Thailand for medical treatment and tourism. It all went awry with the arrival of COVID-19, explaining that the pandemic hurt Thailand's tourism, but TAT officers have worked around the clock for the country to get back on track.

"The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuwait has carried out many promotional projects, such as supplements about Thailand in English and Arabic newspapers, medical seminars, showcasing famous Thai hospitals, Thai food, mango-sticky rice and Thai silk, and this Saturday,a Muay Thai tournament will be held at Sabah Al-Salem Stadium," he added.

Group photo shows (center) Chaiwat Tamthai, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Dubai &Middle East Office.— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Roogeadded that Thailand is positioned to offer the ideal destination for vacation and workation, where last year it ranked first among 150 workation destinations around the world.In addition, the country is considered the leader in wellness economy, inspiring people to live a longer and better life. Chaiwat Tamthai, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Dubai &Middle East Office, said Thailand welcomes 39 million visitors, and the number of tourists from the Middle East is increasing annually.

The number of Kuwaiti tourists was the largest, as 78,199 Kuwaitis visited Thailand, expecting this number to increase.He added Thailand is the most popular destination for tourists, noting that from May to August 2022, 25,000 Kuwaitis traveled to the country that is considered to be an affordable, luxury and trendy destination. The Thai Embassy in Kuwait had announced that from May 1, 2022, Thailand fully reopened, and RT-PCR tests and quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers to the country are no longer required.