Yunnan-Thailand Cooperation Intensifying

 

The other day, our reporters visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and some other places of Thailand. We also went deep into the Golden Triangle between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos for interviews about Thailand’s tourism, media institutions and cultural exchanges. Besides, Mr. Suchart Liengsaengthong, the Thai Consul General in Kunming, accepted an exclusive interview with our newspaper and commented on issues such as Yunnan-Thai cooperation in economy and trade, Kunming-Bangkok Highway, media cooperation, cultural exchanges, tourism development and celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand.

 

Reporter: Mr. Consul General, now that you have taken office in Kunming for nearly a year, would you please briefly comment on the status quo of Yunnan-Thailand cooperation?

 

Consul General: Thailand and Yunnan are close neighbours. With multi-party efforts, Kunming-Bangkok Highway in the world spotlight has gone into use. Self-driving tourists from many provinces of China are arriving in Bangkok and other places of Thailand via Kunming-Bangkok Highway, and Thai business vehicle fleets are also arriving in Xishuangbanna, Pu’er, Kunming and other places of Yunnan by this thoroughfare. Exchanges between two sides are constantly increasing and accelerating. Currently, however, business circles still find the bilateral trade too limited, which is in sharp contrast with the convenient transportation brought about by the Kunming-Bangkok Highway. In the past, everyone said that the road was hindering trade. Now the thoroughfare is there, but the bilateral trade volume has not doubled as expected, which is strange.

 

Currently, some business people believe that the problem mainly lies in customs clearance speed and procedures at Mohan and Boten. It is learned that at these two ports business people still find customs clearance speed and ease unsatisfactory. Some of them choose to make detours around Guangzhou and exports in Guangxi to import to Thailand. For some people, such detours mean lower costs and more intermediate profits. This problem deserves attention of relevant parties and must be resolved as soon as possible. It has to be difficult, but the more difficult it is, the more efforts we must put into it.

 

Reporter: According to relevant authorities of Thailand, the number of visits to Thailand by Chinese tourists has exceeded 4.7 million annually, and the number is still on the rise. What do you think of the number of visits by Yunnan tourists to Thailand? As Consul General, are you satisfied with the current situation?

 

Consul General: According to incomplete statistics, the total number of Yunnan tourists to Thailand has exceeded 100,000. Thai statistics show that Chinese tourists are mainly from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Yunnan tourists only account for a small percentage, which is out of proportion given the status of Yunnan as a strong tourism province and a transit point of international tourists. Yunnan and Thailand are close neighbours, so Thailand expects more tourists from Yunnan.

 

Reporter: Many universities in Yunnan have set up the Thai language department, and many universities of Thailand have held education exhibitions in Yunnan. The number of Yunnan students studying in Thailand continues to increase. How would you evaluate this trend?

 

Consul General: I welcome this trend. Currently, Thai students are focusing their attention on Kunming, though they used to pay more attention to Peking University, Tsinghua University and universities in other places. Besides Chinese, some of them have chosen to study computer, science and engineering in Kunming. Many Yunnan students have also chosen to study at universities in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other places. An increasing number of Kunming people are studying and living in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. At present, the law and order situation is stable in Thailand. With Chinese tourists and students in mind, many places have put up Chinese signs to make them feel at home and ease the inconvenience caused by the differences in languages, habits and cultures. However, the total number of Yunnan students studying in Thailand is still relatively small. There is potential for more cooperation on both sides.

 

Reporter: In the promotion of Yunnan-Thailand and China-Thailand cooperation, media are pioneers. In what respects can the media of Yunnan and Thailand cooperate with each other?

 

Consul General: The Thai people also watch Chinese TV series, such as Three Kingdoms. I have seen the movie Lost in Thailand, which is funny, humorous and quite good. Some Thai people are looking forward to its sequel. In addition, the media on both sides can either deepen cooperation in the field of traditional media such as newspapers, television and radio or explore cooperation opportunities in the field of new media. Now frequent exchanges are going on between China and Thailand, requiring the media on both sides to provide quicker and more comprehensive coverage of important information and preferably to interact with each other. As a media-friendly country, Thailand will provide convenience for media to set up reporter stations and cooperate in other aspects as long as Thai laws are observed.

 

Reporter: The next year will be the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand. What would you say to our readers?

 

Consul General: The 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand is a grand occasion, to which the Thai government is attaching great importance. It will be celebrated on the Thai side in four ways: books will be published to commemorate this occasion; Thai artists will visit China to put on performances and communicate with Chinese artists; a forum on this occasion will be held, and scholars and reporters from both sides will attend it for in-depth discussions about new methods and channels of China-Thailand exchanges; scholarships will be established to encourage more exchange students to seek further studies in Thailand and China. (Reporter: Li Hongfeng)