On 20 September 2022, Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Deputy Director General of Department of International Economic Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony of the “BIMSTEC on Tour” activity at Satreesiriket School in Sisaket Province. The activity was attended by Mr. Anurat Thamprajamjit, Deputy Governor of Sisaket Province, Asst.Prof.Dr. Oranuch Puangsuk, Assistant to the President for International Relations and Education of Ubon Ratchathani University, Dr. Chuchart Kaewnok, Director of Sisaket and Yasothon Secondary Educational Area Office. Approximately 500 students from various schools in the Northeast of Thailand attended this event.

The “BIMSTEC on Tour” programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Faculty of Political Science of Ubon Ratchathani University, to reach out to the public and raise their awareness among the youth on Thailand’s role as the BIMSTEC Chair.
The programme covers a wide range of activities, including academic seminar, quiz competition and project competition, the exhibition on the 25^th Anniversary of the Establishment of BIMSTEC, dissemination of information about BIMSTEC, exchange of experiences by the students from the BIMSTEC Member States studying at Ubon Ratchathani University, and a cultural performance on “From the Bay of Bengal to the Mekong river Basin”.

In addition, on 14 September 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University, jointly organised an academic seminar on “The 25^th Anniversary of the Establishment of BIMSTEC: Truth, Aspiration, and Opportunities” aimed at promoting public awareness on BIMSTEC. The seminar was attended by students, academics, and more than 300 participants. It was also a good opportunity for academics to exchange their views on BIMSTEC related international affairs, geopolitics, culture, public health and technological aspects.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to raise public awareness and engagement during Thailand’s Chairmanship of BIMSTEC, 2022-2023.