On 30 December 2025, Mrs. Piyapin Niyomrerks, Ambassador of Thailand to Kazakhstan, held a meeting with representatives of leading tour operators and television media of Kazakhstan, with a view to promoting closer cooperation in tourism and strengthening people-to-people contact between Thailand and Kazakhstan. The meeting was attended by representatives from seven leading Kazakh tour companies, namely Astana Tourism (ht.kz), Euro-Asian Express, Apelsin Tour, Poedem Astana Online, Alesta Tour, Agency Premier, and Adeli Tour, as well as representatives from three major television networks, namely 24kz TV, Qazaqstan TV, and Khabar TV.

During the meeting, the Ambassador provided updates on the developments concerning the Thailand-Cambodia border situation, as well as Thailand’s position and approach on the matter, by explaining relevant facts, rationale, and contextual background in a comprehensive manner. This was aimed at fostering accurate understanding among tourism operators and media representatives in Kazakhstan, and at enhancing confidence in travel to Thailand for Kazakh tourists, whose number reaches nearly 200,000 visitors per year. The Ambassador also invited participants to share their views, suggestions, and perspectives on ways to further promote tourism cooperation between Thailand and Kazakhstan, which remains one of the most important pillars of bilateral relations. In addition, participants were briefed on the launch of direct flights operated by Thai AirAsia X on the Bangkok-Almaty route, a key factor facilitating travel and contributing to more balanced tourism exchanges between the two countries.

On this occasion, participants expressed their appreciation for the Embassy’s initiative in organizing the meeting, noting that it not only provided an opportunity to receive first-hand information on Thailand-Cambodia border situation and reassurances regarding travel safety in Thailand, but also allowed them to experience Thai cuisine. The Thai dishes served included shrimps Tom Yum, shrimps Pad Thai, Thai style chicken biryani rice, beef satay, and pomelo salad. The event served as an effective platform for promoting Thailand’s Soft Power through its cuisine, while further enhancing Thailand’s positive, friendly, and constructive image among leading tour operators and media outlets in Kazakhstan.