Bangkok—On May 29th, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang jointly inaugurated the "Sawasdee-Nihao" A Celebration of Thai-China

Relations at CentralWorld Bangkok Convention Center, marking a vibrant celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The event, attended by nearly 300 Chinese media representatives and key opinion leaders (KOLs), showcased a shared vision for deepening bilateral cooperation in tourism and cultural exchanges. 

The "Sawasdee-Nihao: A Celebration of Thai-China Relations" event was successfully held in Bangkok. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

Prime Minister Paetongtarn opened the ceremony by reflecting on the "golden 50 years" of Thailand-China relations, emphasizing mutual trust and neighborly solidarity. "From ancient trade routes along the Mekong River to today's 'Belt and Road' synergies, our nations have thrived as partners. Let this bond remain unshaken for the next half-century," she declared, drawing applause from the audience.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered a keynote speech at the forum. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

Ambassador Han Zhiqiang echoed the sentiment, noting that the 50th anniversary is a "historic opportunity to elevate pragmatic cooperation." He highlighted Thailand's status as China's top ASEAN tourist destination, with 6.73 million Chinese visitors in 2024 contributing 378 billion THB to Thailand's economy. Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports and the Governor of Bangkok also delivered speeches, outlining plans to leverage digital platforms for promoting niche tourism in both countries and several reasons why tourists should visit Thailand.

Bangkok's Governor highlighted the significant improvements in tourist safety in Bangkok. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

Social media bridging cross-border tourism

The forum's second segment turned the spotlight on Sino-Thai social media influencers, who discussed strategies to boost "two-way tourism." Thai travel vloggers shared their connections between China and Thailand through their lives, while Chinese KOLs invited all Chinese audiences to explore lesser-known gems in Thailand. A highlight was the announcement of a collaborative promotional video for the Chinese market, titled 'From Greeting to Missing,' encouraging netizens from both countries to share cross-cultural travel experiences. 

Chinese and Thai KOLs co-hosted a discussion session at the forum. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

Following the opening ceremony, Chinese KOLs are embarking on a four-day media tour in Bangkok and its surrounding areas. Itineraries include visits to the King Power Mahanakhon, IconSiam, and the One Bangkok shopping complex—a hub blending Thai heritage with futuristic design. Participants will also experience Thailand’s latest wellness tourism offerings, including Thai spa and mindfulness retreats, which target China’s booming health-conscious traveler demographic.

Coverage continues as the media tour unfolds, with real-time updates on social media platforms under the official hashtag #SawasdeeNihao.

Night view of the downtown area in Bangkok. (Photo/Qihai Deng)