Bangkok, Thailand, July 3, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in collaboration with the PATA Thailand Chapter and the Centara Grand at CentralWorld, organized a special meeting to honor two esteemed partners of the association in the Thai tourism sector: Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, who recently completed his term as President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the newly appointed Director General of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA).

The event took place on Tuesday, June 17th at the CRU Champagne Bar, the rooftop bar of the Centara Grand in CentralWorld, and marked both a warm farewell and a warm welcome.

“It is an honor for me to recognize two of PATA’s closest friends today, both of whom have dedicated themselves to working with the association for many years,” said PATA Chairman Peter Semone at the event. “As we bid farewell to Khun Chiruit, we acknowledge his leadership and support, which extends far beyond his time at TCEB. We are excited to see what the future holds for him. At the same time, we warmly congratulate Khun Siripakorn on his well-deserved appointment and look forward to continuing our close collaboration with him and DASTA in the years to come.”

Ben Montgomery, Corporate Ambassador of Centara Hotels & Resorts, PATA Board Member and Chairman of the Thai PATA Chapter, who led the organization of this meeting, stated: “The PATA network has always been committed to building lasting connections and supporting the tourism industry during challenging times. At this crucial turning point, we must focus on connecting past, present, and future leaders from the public and private sectors to ensure the sustainable progress of our industry and our community.”

As President of the TCEB, Chiruit played a crucial role in positioning Thailand as a leading MICE destination. Under his leadership, the TCEB actively collaborated with PATA, jointly organizing events such as the PATA Travel Marts and the PATA Destination Marketing Forums. The TCEB provided both technological and strategic support to further the shared goal of establishing Thailand as a central tourism hub in Southeast Asia.

In his previous role as Deputy Governor for International Marketing in Europe, America, the Middle East, and Africa at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Siripakorn consistently championed sustainable tourism and supported PATA's initiatives for many years. His appointment as head of DASTA, also one of PATA's key partners and a prominent voice for sustainability in Thai tourism, marks a promising new chapter for collaboration in sustainable destination development.

Among the guests of the evening were Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the TAT, and Supawan Teerarat, President of the National Food Institute.