Chennai an ideal gateway for maritime connectivity with ASEAN

Chennai:

Thailand on Tuesday said that Chennai could be an ideal gateway for maritime connectivity between India and Association of South East Asian Nations as it could reduce the time for product shipment to ASEAN and China besides cut costs also.

Addressing a seminar on ‘Business Opportunities in Thailand’ organized by India-ASEAN-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thailand consul general Chanchai Charanvatnakit said that Thai premire Yingluck Shinawatra has proposed Chennai as a gateway for maritime connectivity between Indian and ASEAN via Dawei port of Myanmar in the west which will further connect Danang port of Vietnam in the East via Thailand.

He said the connectivity will save time for product shipment to ASEAN and China about one to two weeks besides saving money.

The envoy also said that Thailand has become number destination for Indian tourists. “Around 9.2 lakh Indian tourists visited Thailand last year and we expect this number to increase to 10 lakh,” he added.

He said 65-years since establishing ties with India, Thailand considers India as a central part of its “Look West” policy due to its sustained economic growth, technological progress and prominent role in international affairs as the world’s largest democracy.

Sethaphan Buddhani, director of tourism, Thailand highlighted the importance of Thailand being a tourism destination. He also cited that boarding and lodging in Thailand is cheaper and one can book three rooms a day with the same ambience of a premier hotel, which charges Rs 10,000 a night