On 9 – 13 September 2023, Ms. Acharapan Yavaprapas, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata joined “Team Thailand in India” delegation led by Ambassador of Thailand to India and comprised of Director of Thai Trade Centre in New Delhi, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand in New Delhi, and officials, to visit the State of Sikkim. The purpose of the visit is to explore potential collaboration between Thailand and Sikkim such as tourism, agriculture and food processing, promotion of Thai products and Thai food in Sikkim, and technical cooperation and skill development.

Consul-General attended several programs; namely, 1) a courtesy call and discussion with Shri V.B. Pathak, Chief Secretary, and representatives of Sikkim Government’s departments; 2) a meeting with Shri Prakash Chhetri, Secretary, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Sikkim business entrepreneurs; 3) a visit to the Sikkim Government Fruit Preservation Factory, producing  “Sikkim Supreme” brand to study the potential in agriculture industry; and 4) a visit to the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom to study the potential in handicraft and weaving industry.

The State of Sikkim shares border with the State of West Bengal through Siliguri Corridor or so-called “Chicken’s Neck of India”, which is a 22-km wide land strip connecting India’s mainland to the Seven Sister States in the Northeast Region. Most foreign tourists visit Sikkim via Bagdogra Airport, which situates in West Bengal, before continuing to Sikkim by road. The States of Sikkim and West Bengal have close relations in economic, trade, tourism, and transport infrastructure.