Thailand and South Korea team up for global water festival
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Jeollanam-do have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly promote Thailand’s Songkran Festival and Jeollanam-do’s Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival.
The signing ceremony, held on Monday, June 17 in Seoul, South Korea, was graced by H.E. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korea. The MOU was officially signed by TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, and the Governor of Jeollanam-do, Kim Young-rok. Also present were Kim Seong, Governor of Jangheung County, Jeollanam-do, and TAT executives.
“This MOU stems from the combined efforts of TAT and Jeollanam-do to foster two-way tourism using the soft power of our cultures. The Songkran Festival and the Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival celebrate water as a symbol of friendship and cultural unity.”
This partnership builds on TAT’s existing agreements, including one with Boryeong City to promote the Songkran Festival alongside the Boryeong Mud Festival, and another with the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KETA) to encourage travel between Thailand and South Korea.
As part of the 2023-2024 Korea-Thailand Mutual Visit Year, marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two countries have ramped up efforts to enhance mutual tourism. At the Jeollanam-do International Tourism Culture Contest on June 17 to 18, held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, TAT showcased Thailand through five must-do activities: Must Eat local food, Must See local culture, Must Seek unseen attractions, Must Buy local arts and crafts, and Must Beat local sports.
Over two days, the Thailand booth attracted more than 10,000 visitors with special Songkran cultural performances and hands-on workshops, including umbrella painting, Lanna’s hanging flag crafting, and Thai potpourri making, reported TAT News.
In related news, to revolutionise Thailand’s tourism sector, TAT hosted the Ignite Tourism Thailand: TAT Skill Factory workshop. This ambitious initiative is part of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s vision to establish Thailand as a top global tourism destination.
