East-West economic corridor links region
Monday October 15, 2007
CHATRUDEE THEPARAT
Bangkok Post
Private tourism operators are being urged to prepare for an influx of foreign tourists as the East-West Economic Corridor linking Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam approaches completion.
According to Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, deputy secretary general to National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the East-West Economic Corridor linking Thailand, Laos and Vietnam has been finished, with the construction of 18 kilometres in Burma nearly completed.
The economic corridor is created based on a road of 1,450 km with the west end at port city of Mawlamyine (Burma), crossing Kayin Division, the Thai provinces of Tak, Sukhothai, Kalasin, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Yasothon, Mukdahan and the Laotian provinces of Savannakhet, Vietnamese provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang city as the east end.
Thai authorities expect a flood of tourists from the three countries, especially Vietnam.
According to Mr Arkhom, the Thai government should use the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) forum to be held early next year in Bangkok to convince Laos and Vietnam to adopt a single visa. The procedure would help encourage foreign tourists who travel to the three countries, he said.
Thailand only has a single-visa programme with Cambodia.
Mr Arkhom said that to capitalise on the new road network, the single-visa agreements with Laos and Vietnam could be made ahead of the single-visa pact among Asean members, which is due to become effective on 2010.
Damrong Saengkaweelert, director of the tourism sites development bureau of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, said infrastructure should be improved along the route of the East-West Economic Corridor. He also urged authorities to upgrade local tourism sites along the route.
Authorities from the Tourism and Sports Ministry met last week with the public and private sector in Khao Kor, Phetchabun to discuss developing tourism sites to meet international standards.
Khao Kor is one of the destinations designated by the ministry to be developed. The site features a beautiful landscape, moderate climate and historical attractions.
The mountains around Phetchabun have historical significance also as they were the 1960s headquarters of the communists, and the site of bitter fighting with Thai military authorities.
Chulbhong Kunwong, who heads a group of tourism operators in Khao Kor, said they were preparing to launch a promotion campaign next year, with Khao Kor one of the main highlights.
Suvit Yodmani, the Tourism and Sports Minister, recently urged local operators to attract more foreign visitors to Khao Kor.
According to Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, deputy secretary general to National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the East-West Economic Corridor linking Thailand, Laos and Vietnam has been finished, with the construction of 18 kilometres in Burma nearly completed.
The economic corridor is created based on a road of 1,450 km with the west end at port city of Mawlamyine (Burma), crossing Kayin Division, the Thai provinces of Tak, Sukhothai, Kalasin, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Yasothon, Mukdahan and the Laotian provinces of Savannakhet, Vietnamese provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang city as the east end.
Thai authorities expect a flood of tourists from the three countries, especially Vietnam.
According to Mr Arkhom, the Thai government should use the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) forum to be held early next year in Bangkok to convince Laos and Vietnam to adopt a single visa. The procedure would help encourage foreign tourists who travel to the three countries, he said.
Thailand only has a single-visa programme with Cambodia.
Mr Arkhom said that to capitalise on the new road network, the single-visa agreements with Laos and Vietnam could be made ahead of the single-visa pact among Asean members, which is due to become effective on 2010.
Damrong Saengkaweelert, director of the tourism sites development bureau of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, said infrastructure should be improved along the route of the East-West Economic Corridor. He also urged authorities to upgrade local tourism sites along the route.
Authorities from the Tourism and Sports Ministry met last week with the public and private sector in Khao Kor, Phetchabun to discuss developing tourism sites to meet international standards.
Khao Kor is one of the destinations designated by the ministry to be developed. The site features a beautiful landscape, moderate climate and historical attractions.
The mountains around Phetchabun have historical significance also as they were the 1960s headquarters of the communists, and the site of bitter fighting with Thai military authorities.
Chulbhong Kunwong, who heads a group of tourism operators in Khao Kor, said they were preparing to launch a promotion campaign next year, with Khao Kor one of the main highlights.
Suvit Yodmani, the Tourism and Sports Minister, recently urged local operators to attract more foreign visitors to Khao Kor.
