EGM's Thailand tour
Yumnam Rupachandra *
The 13 member team of
Editors' Guild Manipur successfully concluded the
weeklong 1st International
Media Exposure Tour to
Thailand which began on
22nd (March 2016). Arriving at Imphal
Airport from Suvarnabhumi
International Airport, Bangkok, on 29 March, President
of EGM A Mobi described
the tour as eye opening for
the editors who interacted
with the Manipuri diasporas
Thai business people. He said
it was the first tour of its
kind and editors from different media houses of Manipur
learnt first hand how Bangkok, a major tourist hub of
Thailand functioned.
The team on day one viited Pattaya, a sea side town
with huge tourist footfalls.
The journalists noted with
interest both the good and the
bad side of Pattaya. What
impressed the editors from
Manipur was the drive to
Pattaya from Bangkok airport-a 170 km stretch that
took just over an hour.
On day two the team visited Koh Larn or Coral
Island, one of the many island dotting the periphery of
Pattaya beach. The sea beach
once the haunt of European
and American tourist was
seen to be dominated by
Asian tourists' majority of
which were the Chinese and
Indians.
Chinese tour groups in
scores could be seen everywhere one went in and around
Bangkok and Pattaya, indicating the rise of Chinese
power in the Asia.
Day three, the team wandered around Bangkok city,
visiting business centers and
also interacting shopkeepers.
At MBK one of the major
shopping centers, traders
speaking to the editors confided that their business were
being affected by the onslaught of online as in
anywhere. This despite the
editors observed the brisk
business which were open
through out the week without
holidays on Sunday. The
team also soaked in the difference in the work culture.
Variety chain store 7 Eleven
were open 24x7 and one
could walk in anytime of the
day or night for a mobile
recharge or shaving cream.
Editors watch with interest how the drains in the
narrow lanes in Bangkok – call Soi, were so well covered
and made motor able. One
wished our engineers would
visit the Sois and learnt a
lesson on how to make our
Leiraks more usable.
On day four the editors
spent time with the Manipuri
diasporas. At a formal function at The Hotel Konnect,
the editors and few of the 30
odd families working and
residing, a face book group
was launched to facilitate interaction between Manipuris
in Thailand and also to assist
any Manipuri wishing to visit
Thailand either for leisure or
business.
The introduction to the
group by Manipuri diaspora
Chingkham Dina, a teacher
by profession runs as:
This group was born after
the interaction session between Manipuris living in
Thailand with group of editors from Manipur on
26.03.2016 in Bangkok. Under the look east policy of
India, we see golden opportunity that Manipur can tap
by expanding its human resource, education, business
and job. As Manipuri
diaspora in Thailand, we
would like to share our
knowledge and information
about business opportunity,
education and job opportunity in Thailand.
You are
welcome in this group and
your shared knowledge will
expand our golden opportunities. Please join us and also
please put your questions
about business, job, and education about Thailand. We
will try to give the information you like as much as
possible.
The facebook group Global Manipuri Platform
(Thailand) has so far 55
members since its inception
on 26 march.
On day four and five,
editors also visited home of
two of the diaspora and also
interacted with a Thai business man, Tanon
Khunanoprat, one of the team
leaders who brought the Thai
business team to Sangai Festivals in Manipur. Tanon was
appreciative of the hospitality
of the Manipuri people and
said the Northern Thais considered the Manipuris as their
ancestors. He said many were
keen to visit Manipur but
were afraid of the law and
order situation.
Manipuri diasporas
speaking to the editors said
despite the Military rule that
the country is experiencing
currently, there were very little presence of army in the
streets. Editors also observed
the situation and could not
believe that Thailand was
under military rule. The
streets of Manipur had more
army than Thailand.
The team also visited one
of the largest open markets in
Asia, the Chatucha weekend
Market, pronounced as
Jatuja, by the Thais. One
could see traders come from
all corners of Thailand to sale
their wares which include almost everything from pet
animals to t shirts.
On the last day, the team
visited the Grand Palace, the
official residence of Kings of
Thailand. The ailing Thailand
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
however currently resides at
Chitrlada Royal Villa in Dusit
Palace. The Grand Palace
also is the where the world
famous temple of Emerald
Budha, located.
Some of the Editors also
visited the China Town one
of the main source of whole-sale articles.
The team later left for
Imphal by Indigo flight no
6E -78 at 2.02 am local time
to arrive in Imphal at 10.30
am on 29 March 2016.
"Editors Guild Manipur,
on the other hand thanked all
those who supported the
EGM in its first International
media exposure trip both
monetarily as well as mor-
ally. "This trip would not
have been possible without
their help," said A Mobi
President EGM."
* Yumnam Rupachandra wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on April 03, 2016.
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