On 26-29 July 2015, H.E. Dr. Itti Ditbanjong, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation, led the delegation of Team Thailand in Russia, to pay an official visit to the Irkutsk Region, as an official guest of the local government. 

 

            During the visit, H.E. Ditbanjong paid the courtesy call upon H.E. Mr. Sergey V. Erochenko, Acting Governor of the Region, emphasized on the cordial relationship with Thailand and expressed his willingness to develop the bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Irkutsk Region in more creative and prosperous way, especially in energy. Irkutsk Region is one of main resources of gas and minerals in Russia which could become a source of energy security for Thailand. In the same time, Thailand could serve as a supplier of food and agricultural products and support food security for Irkutsk Region, as Thai fruits and some other goods have already been imported there. Moreover, considering that Thailand is a popular 5-hour-away tourist destination among people in Siberia, the cooperation in the field of tourism between Russia and Thailand was also discussed.         

      

            During the meeting with Mr. Konstantin Shavrin, President of the Chamber of East-Siberian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Ditbanjong placed confidence among Irkutsk businessmen in economic policy of the two countries, which contributes to development of the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and tourism. With the popularity of Thailand among Irkutsk people, the private sector in Irkutsk Region has had a good attitude towards Thailand and intended to explore business opportunity in all areas of mutual interests. Irkutsk Region expressed its readiness to welcome the businessmen from Thailand. 

 

            The visit to Irkutsk meets the need of Thailand to learn from Russian expertise in ecosystem management and conservation of environment in Baikal Lake, the biggest freshwater lake in the world, and the radioactive waste management and control of radiation which is in line with the MOU on the peaceful use of Atomic Energy concluded earlier.