Sri Vijaya Pooram, Siriporn Tantpaniyathip, Consul General of Thailand in Kolkata, said it was time for both countries to unleash the enormous potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and grow together as regional partners.
“I expressed my sincere interest in learning more about the islands’ development vision, progress, future direction, aspirations and how Thailand and Andaman and Nicobar Islands can help each other grow together while unlocking potential,” Tantipaniyathip told PTI in an interview.
“This is my first visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and I am truly pleased to be here. I come with great optimism and a strong sense of purpose to further strengthen the long-standing friendship with the archipelago, and explore potential areas for meaningful cooperation,” the envoy said.
She said that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Thailand are already naturally linked by the same sea, historical trade routes and shared regional opportunities.
“We are much closer than many people think. In fact, these islands are closer to Thailand than to mainland India. This proximity creates huge potential for stronger links that could significantly reduce logistics costs, shorten transportation times, facilitate tourism, and make regional trade faster and more cost-effective for both sides,” the envoy said.
“During my visit, I had the opportunity to engage in constructive discussions with the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary and Business Chambers, as well as many local stakeholders. I strongly believe that there is huge potential to grow together in various sectors, especially in hospitality,” she said.
India can play a pivotal role as one of Thailand’s most important tourism export markets, she said.
“India is a leading source market for Thailand’s tourism and will become even more important in the next decade, with the world’s largest population, supported by growing economic prosperity and a growing appetite for international travel, driven by a growing desire in the hearts of young professionals to explore the world as part of personal growth, self-discovery and enrichment,” the Consul General said.
She said that Thailand is one of the best destinations for Indian tourists because it consistently offers the world-class experiences travelers value at affordable prices backed by strong tourism infrastructure, warm hospitality, diverse attractions and easy accessibility.
She said that in many cases, traveling to Thailand can be less expensive than traveling to certain domestic destinations within India.
“Tourism between us goes beyond just leisure travel. It enhances trade relations, cultural exchanges and long-term regional connectivity between our two countries,” Tantipanyathibe added.
When asked how Thailand could add value to the mega tourism-related projects in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, she said, “Certainly in many useful ways, especially through sharing experiences, enhancing connectivity and encouraging regional tourism coordination.”
She said Thailand has many years of experience in developing world-class island tourism destinations such as Phuket, Krabi and Samui, while balancing tourism growth, sustainability, hospitality standards and international marketing.
“I believe there are opportunities to exchange knowledge and best practices in ecotourism, marine tourism, yacht tourism, destination management, hospitality training and sustainable tourism development. Communication will be very important. The stronger the air and sea links, the easier it will be to strengthen joint tourism partnerships,” the Thai envoy said.
She said that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have enormous untapped potential in many sectors due to their strategic location, natural beauty and proximity to Southeast Asia.
The biggest opportunities include ecotourism, marine tourism, hospitality, seafood industries, renewable energy, logistics and communication. These islands have a unique opportunity to develop sustainably by balancing economic growth with environmental protection and community development, she said, adding that this may be their greatest long-term competitive advantage.
Regarding initiatives to boost Thailand’s hospitality sector in the archipelago, she said: “We are open to exploring initiatives such as the Thai Food Festival in Port Blair or Havelock Island in partnership with local stakeholders. I believe such activities can help create stronger visibility, encourage exchanges, and bring Thailand and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands closer together.”
She said stronger air and sea connectivity between Thailand and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands would support tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, making travel easier, encouraging more visitors and creating opportunities for both sides across the Andaman Sea.
She added that Thailand greatly values its friendship with India, especially with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and looks forward to further strengthening this close and enduring partnership.
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