On 16 May 2023, H.E. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia together with a Thai delegation, led by Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Director-General of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. Narong Woonciew, Governor of Phuket Province, as well as Mr. Buripan Bunnag, Vice President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Mr. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, President, Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), paid a courtesy call on YBhg. Datuk Hajah Saraya binti Arbi, Secretary General of Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC) of Malaysia at MaTiC Office, Kuala Lumpur, during the Thai delegation’s visit to Kuala Lumpur to take part in the Expo 2028 Phuket Symposia to seek support from the members of Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) for Thailand’s bid to host the Specialised Expo in Phuket in 2028.

          Director-General Cherdchai commended on the successful visit of Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim to Thailand in February 2023, and the follow-up visit to Malaysia by the Executive of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, of which tourism is among the strongest pillars.

          H.E. Lada informed of the “A Million Smile with Thanks to Malaysians” event which was organised by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Kuala Lumpur Office, in April 2023, to express Thailand’s appreciation to Malaysian business partners in tourism sector for their contributions in promoting Thai tourism to the Malaysian market. The efforts of which had resulted in Thailand receiving one million Malaysian nationals during the period of the first four months of this year. H.E. Lada also exchanged information on Thailand-Malaysia’s bilateral cooperation.

          YBhg. Datuk Hajah Saraya binti Arbi welcomed H.E. Lada on her assumption of duty as Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia and commended on Thailand-Malaysia’s close cooperation on tourism and culture, and lauded Thailand for the bid to host the Expo 2028 Phuket which is believed to bring great benefits to the region.

          The meeting was cordial. H.E. Lada recalled meeting with YBhg. Datuk Hajah Saraya binti Arbi Secretary General of MOTAC on the occasion of welcoming Mr. Park Jin, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea at the Hallyu (Korean Wave) Exhibition at National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.