Ambassador Chirachai Punkrasin, accompanied by Mr. Napadol Thongmee, Director of the Thai Trade Center in Mexico and Mr. Vorachart Choochom, Director of the Office of Board of Investment of Thailand in Los Angeles, USA, paid a visit to the State of Colima from 20-22 February 2013.

During the trade promotion trip, the Ambassador and his team met with Mr. Mario Anguiano Moreno, Governor of Colima and Mr. Rafael Gutierrez Villalobos, Secretary of Economic Development of Colima. The two sides discussed mutual issues of interest promoting bilateral trade between Thailand and Mexico, the importance of the Port of Manzanillo in facilitating foreign trade, and further cooperation in cultural and technical development. Such discussion follows the strong relations between the Embassy and the University of Colima established through academic exchanges and the establishment of the APEC Centre at the University.

The delegation also conducted on-site visits with the Congressmen of Colima, in order to learn of economic dynamism between the State of Colima and Asia, including the expansion project of the Port of Manzanillo (TEC II), and the Gas Terminal, operated by Korean-Japan Joint Venture; KMS de GNL.  The Thai delegation was also briefed on the State’s traditional industries, including Iron mining and pelletizing, fishery, and tropical fruits production such as lime, coconut, and papaya.  With the private sectors, Ambassador Chirachai met with Presidents of COMCE and COPARMEX Manzanillo, as well as President of COMCE Colima, discussion focused on economic trend and areas for trade expansion.

The Team was also received by Mr. Eduardo Hernandez Nava, Rector of the University of Colima, which is now hosting 3 exchange students from the University of Khon Kaen, Thailand to study double degrees for marketing and tourism. The collaboration between the Royal Thai Embassy and the University of Colima had led to publication of a number of books including “Tailandia y Mexico, Retrospectiva de una relacion intermitente”.