First ‘Bhutan-Thailand Friendship Drive’ sets off on epic journey, with TAT a co-organiser

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is proud to be a co-organiser of the first ever road journey from Bangkok to Thimphu in Bhutan – the ‘Bhutan-Thailand Friendship Drive – Connecting Peoples of the Two Kingdoms by Land’.

The epic eight-day journey set off from Bangkok on Friday, 21 June and will have covered 3,000 kmใ by the time it arrives in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu on Friday, 28 June. The route follows the Myanmar-Thailand-India trilateral highway through the three countries before entering Bhutan through Phuentsholing on the Bhutan-India border on Thursday, 27 June.

The ‘Bhutan-Thailand Friendship Drive – Connecting Peoples of the Two Kingdoms by Land’ is one of the flagship events commemorating the 30th anniversary in 2019 of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Bhutan. It is also in celebration of the auspicious Royal Coronation in Thailand and reflects both countries’ reverence of the monarchy institution, with Bhutan also having a king.

Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific, said that as the first friendship drive between Thailand and Bhutan, this event aims to further strengthen relations on all levels between the two kingdoms.

“Along with people-to-people linkages, trade and commerce, this also includes tourism. Thailand is already a main gateway for tourists flying to Bhutan, and it is hoped the Bhutan-Thailand Friendship Drive will help to open up new road links. Together the two destinations have much to offer under the ‘Two Kingdoms, One Destination’ concept,” Mr. Chattan said.

Taking part in the ‘Bhutan-Thailand Friendship Drive – Connecting Peoples of the Two Kingdoms by Land’ are 21 participants, comprising officials from the Royal Thai Government, Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Thairung Union Car Public Company Limited and two youth representatives – one each from Thailand and Bhutan.

Co-organising the event with TAT are the Royal Bhutanese Embassy and Thairung, while Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and DusitD2 Bhutan are sponsors.

For those interested to follow updates from this eight-day journey, they can visit http://www.thailandbhutantourism.com/ for photos and overview of each day’s route.