The official story of the Thai Public Relations department

November 21, 2005

Successful Results of Prime Minister Thaksin's Visit to Kenya and Turkey

(14/11/2005)

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who returned from Kenya and Turkey on 12

November 2005, spoke about the successful results of his visit to the two

countries, in his weekly radio address on the same day.

The Prime Minister said that he had announced 2005 as " Thailand's Year of

Africa Campaign, " in an effort to expand cooperation in all areas between

Asian and African regions. During his visit to Kenya, he offered fellowships

to Kenyan personnel for a study tour of Thailand, which would be a chance

for both countries to learn from each other. Since Kenya often hosts

international meetings, but does not have enough luxurious hotels to

accommodate delegates, Kenya urged Thai investors to invest in constructing

five-star hotels there. The Prime Minister said that the Thai government was

ready to support Thai business people to invest in the hotel business there,

as well as other related operations, such as restaurant and spa services and

trade exhibition management.

Prime Minister Thaksin said that Kenya wanted to increase its direct flights

to Thailand. In this regard, he said that Don Muang Airport was quite

crowded now. After the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport next year, Thailand

would allow more direct flights between the two countries.

He revealed that the Kenyan government had agreed to give a number of wild

animals to Thailand in their joint cooperation in wild animal research. The

Prime Minister stressed that the wildlife contract did not violate the rules

and laws set by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. Thailand did not buy animals from Kenya,

but the two countries have cooperated in research and conservation of rare

wildlife, which would be of great benefit.

He said that the population of wild animals in Kenya was great, so many of

them had to be killed in an effort to control their population. Instead of

killing them, Kenya decided to send a number of them to Thailand to conduct

joint research. According to the Prime Minister, the Kenyan wild animals

would be sent to Chiang Mai Night Safari park in northern Thailand. The park

has an animal hospital and capable researchers. The project would also

provide education for Thai children.

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