Russian “sister city’ delegation visits Phuket

PHUKET: Mayor Kolyadin Oleg Genyadierich, Deputy Mayor Serganor Oleg L’voich and other officials from Nakhodka, Phuket’s “sister city” in the Russian Far East, met Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanimit and other top provincial officials earlier this week, agreeing to cooperate in a range of areas, including fisheries, education, tourism and sports.

Gov Niran visited Nakhodka last September, when the two cities were officially “twinned”.

To further improve ties, representatives the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) offered to include tours to Russia and Nakhodka in their catalogs and to welcome Russian students studying tourism to train in hotels and tour agencies in Phuket.

The PTA also asked the delegation for their cooperation in establishing Phuket as a destination for Russian newlyweds to spend their honeymoons in Phuket, as many Korean couples do.

Both delegations agreed to push for the establishment of direct air links, while the Phuket Provincial Health Office offered to send Thai massage specialists to Nakhodka to work, train and share their knowledge with Russian spa owners.

Information exchanges will also take place in fishing and aquaculture, important industries in both locales.

In education and sports, Phuket City Municipality will arrange for teachers and students to visit Nakhodka , with Russian sports trainers coming to train municipal school students and exchange knowledge with teachers. The Phuket Provincial Boxing Club is also expected to host a delegation of Russian youths and trainers.

Phuket Rajabhat University also expressed an interest in beginning exchange programs in areas of mutual interest, such as environmental research.

Mayor Genyadierich and his delegation will be in Phuket until Monday.