The Royal Thai Embassy in Lima has organized a familiarization trip for the representatives of academic institutes from Peru, Colombian and Ecuador to visit Thailand from 17 – 25 June 2013. Ms. SupamasYunyasit, First Secretary of the Embassyledthe group of academic representatives, consisting of Mr. Felipe Portecarrero Suarez, Rector of University ofthe Pacific, Lima  , Peru  , 2. Mr. Ramiro Salas-Bravo, International Vice President from University if San Ignacio de Loyola , Lima  3. Mr.Renaud Walter Neubauer, Director of the Institute of Studies of Pacific Affairs and Professor of Languages and Asian Philosophy  of University of San Francisco de Quito , Ecuador  4.  Mr.Francisco Noguera-Rocha  , Associate Professor  of International Economic Development, International Economic Seminar and International Seminar of University of Sergio Arboledaand advisor of National University of Colombia and Mrs.NoraCepeda de Noguerafrom University of Sergio Arboleda, Bogota , Colombia , to Thailand during 17 – 25 June 2013 .

     During the visit to Thailand, the group had an opportunity to get a briefing on Thailand’s economic and political situation from Mr. SomwangKhruasuwan , Director of Latin American Division, Department of American and Pacific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The participants had an opportunity to gain first-hand experience and information about Thailand and its cultures throughout the visit, including field trips and sightseeing tour to Thailand tourist attractions in Bangkok, Ayuthaya, the former capital of Thailand and HuaHin, one of the famous beach destinations of Thailand as well as the Royal Initiative Projects. The participants had an opportunity to meet and exchange views with  executives of leading Thai universities namely Chulalongkorn University, Thammasart University, Mahidol University, Ramkhamheag University and Thai University of Chamber of Commerce. Agreement had been reached to further cooperate and establish academic linkages among relevant schools and departments of each university.

     This project has been very successful promoting better understanding about Thailand in all dimensions to the representatives of academic sector and also served as a tool to encourage more contacts and exchanges of people of the two continents. These will help fostering the more dynamic bilateral relations between Thailand and these countries.