Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai Air Asia,

His Excellency General Shantha Kottegoda,

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand,

Mr. Setthapan Buddhani,

Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Mumbai,

Mr. Prasanna Wikramasuriya,

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          It gives me a great pleasure to be present here at the press conference to witness the launch of Thai Air Asia’s daily flights from Colombo to Bangkok. This is good news for peoples of our two countries because we will be able to travel with comforts, directly and economically, between our two capital cities with Thai Air Asia, the world’s best low-cost airline.

          I am pleased to point out that I just arrived in Sri Lanka last week and Sri Lanka has already made me feel at home. I see the launch of Thai Air Asia’s daily flights between Colombo and Bangkok tonight as a symbol of the further enhancement of our cordial bilateral relations that takes place at the dawn of my tenure as Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka.

          Since my arrival in Sri Lanka, I have visited many beautiful places and temples. I am deeply touched by the long and memorable history behind them. Consequently, I could not stop thinking that more Thai people should have the opportunity to experience Sri Lanka the ways I do.

          Indeed, the charms of Sri Lanka lie in its long history, ancient religious monuments, golden sandy beaches, and rush green mountains. Many historic places in this country also have close links to Thailand which will be of the interests of Thai people.

          It is worth noting that Thailand and Sri Lanka have been “Kalyanamitr” or “true friends” for centuries. This is why we share so many cultural similarities today. Acoordingly, one of my missions is to strengthen the happily existing close and cordial relations.

          As a result, I see the necessity to enhance people-to-people relations. I wish to see more tourists from Thailand visiting this beautiful island, and also more Sri Lankan visiting my country. Thai Air Asia’s new direct daily flights between Colombo and Bangkok will help tremendously to accomplish such a mission.

          Next year, there is a special occasion that peoples of Thailand and Sri Lanka can join hands to celebrate. That is the 260^th Anniversary of the Establishment of Siamvamsa or Siam Nikaya in Sri Lanka. Therefore, we expect a lot of activities to be organised in Sri Lanka to commemorate such an auspicious occasion. I am confident that Thai Air Asia will play important roles in facilitating the connectivity between our peoples so that we can travel between Thailand and Sri Lanka easily with Thai Air Asia’s low-cost and comfortable flying.

          Finally, on this special occasion, I wish to take this opportunity to express to Thai Air Asia my warm wishes and sincere congratulations in the successful launch of daily flights between Colombo and Bangkok. I believe that with its amazing values for money, comforts, efficiency and hospitality, Thai Air Asia will be successful in its flight operations.

          Thank you.