Representatives from the local government of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand and the provincial Journalists’ Association recently played host to a group of Vietnamese reporters, led by the Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Journalists’ Association, Mr Pham Quoc Toan.  The visit was part of this year’s bilateral experience exchange between Vietnamese and Thai media agencies. 

The Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai Province, Mr Chana Pangpi Boon, remarked that the bilateral relationships between media agencies in his province and those from Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have been further strengthened over recent years.  He also said that bilateral exchange activities between Thai and Vietnamese localities have helped to enhance mutual understanding as well as boost their cooperation for the sake of progress.

Deputy Mayor of Chiang Mai Province, Mr Chana Pangpi Boon (first left), speaking to his Vietnamese guests

The Chairman of Chiang Mai Province’s Journalists’ Association, Mr Amnat Jongyotying, affirmed that there have been 4 bilateral experience exchanges between press agencies from Viet Nam and Chiang Mai Province over the past 3 years.  This demonstrates the close ties between the 2 countries.  He also said that bilateral press exchange activities will bolster mutual undertanding and experience-sharing in the communications, socio-economic and cultural sectors of the 2 countries.  He also noted that direct flights between Da Nang and Chiang Mai Province will officially open in March 2015.

In reply, Vice Chairman Toan said that the past 2 decades have seen positive results from the developing relationship between the press agencies of the 2 countries.  He added that many media agencies in Chiang Mai Province have established close ties with their partners from Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and other localities in southern Viet Nam.  In particular, the journalists’ associations of Da Nang and Chiang Mai Province have established a twinning relationship.