Between 27 July and 4 August 2024, H.E. Mr. Chatchawan Sakornsin, Ambassador of Thailand to Kazakhstan, entrusted Dr. Orathai Phubunlap Gunaseelan, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Thai Embassy in Astana, to lead a delegation of 6 executives from food and halal industries of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan, to visit Thailand. This visit was carried out under the projects of the Royal Thai Embassy, aimed at raising awareness of Thailand’s excellence and advancement in food and services and halal industry. During their visit to Thailand, the Central Asian countries’ executives met with the executives and leadership of key relevant agencies in halal industry, namely, the Office of Industrial Economics of the Ministry of Industry, Office of the Central Islamic Council of Thailand, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and the Halal Science Centre of Chulalongkorn University. In addition, the delegation was provided with a study-visit opportunity to Al Meroz Hotel, a 100% halal hotel in Bangkok and to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, providing premium services for customers with halal standard of choice. The delegates also met with the executives of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited to discuss a business opportunity as well as visited the company’s factory in processed and ready meat products.

The visit of these 6 executives from food and halal industries of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan to Thailand was conducted as part of the Royal Thai Embassy’s projects to promote Thailand’s halal food and services and Thailand as the kitchen of the world to the Central Asian countries. The projects have been successfully implemented, particularly the awareness raising of Thailand’s advancement in halal food and services industry. In addition, the projects help implement “Thailand Vision: IGNITE THAILAND”, geared toward Thailand becoming Premier Global Industrial Hub in food, tourism, wellness, and medical care. The projects also contribute to more opportunity for Thailand’s private sector in food, and halal food and services businesses in the Central Asian and Eurasian markets.