On 11 May 2007, the Chinese media delegation from Chongqing, PRC, led by  Mrs. Fan Qing, Assistant Consultant of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal Government,  met with Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during their visit to Thailand on the media exchange program organized by Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chengdu.

The program is aimed to promote people-to-people contact as well as to introduce new Thai tourist destinations, OTOP, Thai fruits as well as the Thai spa--the Thai excellence in service sector, to the Chinese people.

Director-General of Information Department informed the Chinese media that the Thai media has played a vital role in providing useful information on China, especially during the visit to China of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.  At present, it is more convenient to travel between Chongqing and Thailand; therefore, the Chinese media could play a crucial role in disseminating accurate information to promote better understanding, and to expand trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.

Mrs. Fan Qing said Chongqing is a special administration and economic zone under the Chinese Government in Beijing. She added that Chongqing is also rich in natural gas and water energy.  At present, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Cambodia and Denmark have opened the Consulate-Generals in Chongqing.  Mrs. Qing viewed that although the Royal Thai Consulate General in Chengdu has its jurisdiction over Chongqing, Thailand should consider opening its office in Chongqing in the near future.

Director-General of Information Department also mentioned that the Royal Thai Government has attached importance in solving the tourists’ problem, especially the tourists who travel with low cost travel agencies, which have negatively affected Thailand’s image. Mr. Tharit, therefore, suggested the Chinese tourists to carefully select the travel agencies and should opt for high quality agencies.  However, the Chinese tourists, who have experienced difficulties during their visit, could file complains to the Thai Embassy and Consulate-Generals in China. 

Mr. Tharit and Mrs. Qing agreed that the press has an indispensable role in disseminate the accurate information to promote better understanding and to prevent unpleasant incidents which might occur to the tourists.