Under “Malaysian Parliamentarians’ Visit: Nurturing Thailand – Malaysia Relations through Malaysian Emerging Leaders”, the Malaysian parliamentary delegation made a site visit to the Royal-Initiated Lat Pho Floodgate Project in Samut Prakarn province, and was briefed by Dr. Noppadon Kowsuvon, Deputy Director of the Royal Irrigation Office 11, Royal Irrigation Department, and Ms. Thantitta Nakornthap, Director of the International Affairs Division, Office of the Royal Development Projects Board (ORDPB), on Thailand’s best practices in flood mitigation and water resources management, followed by community-based tourism at Bang Ko Bua, Samut Prakarn province, to appreciate the community’s way of life and their efforts to sustainably preserve the local environment and identity. The delegation spent the afternoon enjoying a boat trip along the canal and planted Nipa Palm, and tried their hands on tie-dye fabric making with dyes naturally extracted from local plants, as well as tasting savoury lotus leaf wraps and herbal juice, and wellness massage.

 

The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur also led the Malaysian parliamentary delegation on a visit to the Grand Palace and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles where the delegation gained a deeper understanding on Thailand’s revered institution of monarchy. The visit also provided an opportunity to explore the Museum which has wealth of knowledge and expertise in Thai textiles, including standard, product design, and conservation of Thai textiles, internationally renowned as one of Thailand’s Soft Powers.

 

The “Malaysian Parliamentarians’ Visit: Nurturing Thailand – Malaysia Relations through Malaysian Emerging Leaders” project has achieved its objective in strengthening and promoting bilateral relations between Thailand and Malaysia through the parliamentary mechanisms, especially among the new generation of Malaysian members of Parliaments, who have become Friends of Thailand, and thus will be another important channel to further promote the lasting friendship between Thailand – Malaysia.