In this image released to the media, Ambassador of Thailand to India Krit Kraichitti who is on a two-day visit to Nagaland is seen here interacting with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the latter’s official residence, today in Kohima.
The Ambassador who is on a two-day visit to Nagaland with his wife Korbkiat Kraichitti was received at the Dimapur airport by Minister for Power Doshehe Y Sema, and the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Maongwati Aier, on Thursday morning. Kraichitti was accompanied by Thoradol Thongruang, counsellor in the office of Commercial Affairs, and two secretaries from the Thai Embassy in New Delhi. Thongruang is not new to the state. The trade counsellor had led two separate cultural troupes from Thailand during the Hornbill Festival in December and as recently as January during the Phek leg of the state road shows.
During an informal interaction with the local media in Dimapur, Kraichitti said the purpose of the visit was to explore investment avenues and expand economic cooperation with the north-east, particularly Nagaland. The Ambassador disclosed that Thailand has a ‘Look West Policy’ on the lines of India’s ‘Look East Policy’ to develop direct economic links between the sub-continent and South East Asia. For the fruition of which it is very crucial to first link the north eastern region with the South East Asian countries, especially Thailand, he said.
In Kohima, the Thai Ambassador called upon Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at his official residence. During their discussion, the chief minister briefed Kraichitti about the state, and expressed hopes of further building social and cultural ties with Thailand.
Minister for Agricultural Dr. Chumben Murry also briefly highlighted the agricultural scenario in the state to the Thai delegates during their interaction.
Prior to his meeting with the CM, Kraichitti, when queried by the media in Dimapur on his agenda with the CM, mentioned without being specific that it will mainly be on the potentialities of exploring trade and tourism between the state of Nagaland and Thailand. Stating that the region has abundant resources, he said that first exploring the market here will enable the promotion of external trade.
The Ambassador said that the opening up of the Stilwell Road via Thailand-Myanmar-India and the ‘Asian Highway Project’ will greatly enhance the “East-West economic corridor” and greater people-to-people contact. The ‘Asian Highway Project’ traversing various Asian countries will directly link it with Europe.
Earlier, addressing villagers at Kigwema village in the morning, the Thai Ambassador asserted that Nagas and the people of the Thai Kingdom share a distinct bond – emotionally, physically and culturally – noting that both the Nagas and the Thais share an uncanny similarity in physical features, colour, culture and basic ways of living. He suggested that both the communities may share a common ancestry and called for strengthening the relationship between the Nagas and the Thais. Admitting that he was totally overwhelmed in seeing the similarity between the two cultures, he sang a folk tune, much to the delight of the gathering.
The Thai Ambassador also urged the Naga people to treasure and preserve natural resources such as forests and water, pointing out that the King of Thailand has also taken up preservation of forests and other natural resources with utmost seriousness. Also, he stressed on the need to construct better roads and proper maintenance of the existing ones to ultimately connect the two nations.
Village leaders highlighted some of the activities of the VDB and the communitisation projects to the visiting dignitary. Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Alemtemshi Jamir, was also present at the occasion.
In Dimapur, the Ambassador made a lightning visit to a Thai retail chain outlet, ‘Thailand’s Smart Shop 108’, located at Nagarjan point. A local entrepreneur, Holika Sema, who is a franchisee of the retail chain, runs the store which deals exclusively in Thai goods. Opening a Thai Information Centre alongside the outlet is on the cards.
The Ambassador said that this is his third visit to the north-east part of the country after Assam and Meghalaya. In a lighter vein, he disclosed that trade counsellor Thongruang was the one who created an interest in him to visit the state. Besides, the native customs and physical features of the state share striking similarities with the people of Thailand, the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador also called on the Governor of Nagaland, Nikhil Kumar, at Raj Bhavan. Later in the day the Thai diplomat also visited the State Museum at Kohima. The Thai Ambassador will be addressing a press conference on Friday at 8:30am at Hotel Japfü, Kohima. The entourage will leave the state for New Delhi on February 5.