Governor of Chanthaburi province Poonsak Pranootnaraparn highlighted the local Vietnamese community as a bridge linking Vietnam and Thailand , helping further promote the bilateral friendship and cooperation relations.

The governor made this remark while receiving a Vietnamese delegation from the State Committee for Vietnamese Overseas Affairs which was in Chanthaburi province for a two-day (Dec. 9-10) visit.

Poonsak spoke highly of the role and contributions of the Vietnamese expatriates to the socio-economic development of his province and said the provincial government is working with the Vietnam side to set up a sea-route linking the province with Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island (in Kien Giang province), to strengthen tourism and trade at both ends.

Mr. Dang Ho Phat, Head of the delegation, expressed his belief that the Vietnamese community in Chanthaburi as well as in Thailand in general, will continue contributing to the development of Thailand .

The Vietnamese delegation’s trip to Chanthaburi takes place when the Vietnamese expatriate community celebrates the 300 th anniversary of its establishment and inaugurates the largest church in the province./.