On 2 July 2018, Mr. Munin Paniswasdi, Consul-General of Thailand in Osaka, and his spouse, attended the 8th Annual Forum of Thai Club of Japan on Why Thailand Charms Us “Chiang Mai” at Saji Keizo Memorial Hall, Osaka University Nakanoshima Center. The Forum was moderated by Professor Osamu Akagi, President of Thai Club Japan, with Professor Tatsuhiko Kawashima and Professor Yasuhiro Takai as the panelists. Around 120 Japanese participants attended the Forum.

            In his remarks at the opening of the Forum, Consul-General Munin Paniswasdi mentioned about the importance of Chiang Mai historically, socially, culturally, and economically. The Consul-General also praised Thai Club of Japan, a network of Japanese people who love Thailand, for having carried out a wide range of activities to enhance the ties of friendship between Thai and Japanese peoples since its foundation on 17 November 1990.

            The Forum helped increase better understanding about Thailand among Japanese people. Interestingly, most of the participants have travelled to Thailand several times and become familiar with the country. Thus, the Forum became a platform for the participants to exchange their views and experiences about Thailand and Chiang Mai in various aspects namely history, society, culture, tradition and way of life.

            On the said occasion, Consul-General Munin Paniswasdi represented the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Osaka in presenting the amount of 100,000 yen to Thai Club of Japan to support its activities to further strengthen the close and cordial relations between Thailand and Japan.