THE Philippines and Thailand are supposed to be competing for the tourism market.

Amazingly however, the two nations are looking at becoming partners to boost their respective tourism sectors.

Thailand is hoping to sign within the year a tourism deal with the Philippines that would jumpstart the “two-country, one-destination” initiative.

Under the concept, the two governments will ramp up promotions and encourage foreign tourists visiting either of the two states to have the Philippines or Thailand as their second stop.

Thailand Ambassador Tull Traisorat revealed the document could be signed by June during the Philippine-Thailand tourism ministerial meeting or “even before if there’s a high-level visit”.

The two-country, one-destination concept is reflected in the implementation part under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on tourism cooperation between Thailand and the Philippines.

Given the distance between the two neighbors, there is a need to work on establishing a direct flight between the two states’ popular destinations.

Currently, the stakeholders are in talks for a possible direct flight between Cebu and Phuket.

Once established, Traisorat said the Philippines could get a share of Thailand’s steadily growing number of foreign tourists.

In 2023 alone, Thailand received about 28 million international travelers, eight to 10 million visited Phuket via the more than 100 weekly direct flights from Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and China.

The key is attracting those from the outside— those who come to Thailand— to continue here in the Philippines, particularly those who love diving.

On top of arrivals, Traisorat also mentioned the growing presence of Thai brands in Philippine hospitality such as the Dusit Thani.

They are planning to have one more in Iloilo and one more in Boracay. Apart from Dusit Thani, the Erawan Group, which operates the Hop Inn Hotels, is also expanding well.

These developments come as Thailand and the Philippines mark their 75 years of diplomatic relations on June 14.

Aside from tourism, cooperation between Manila and Bangkok continues to grow in trade, culture, education, and agriculture, among others.

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Catholic devotees around the world marked the start of Holy Week in yesterday’s Palm Sunday.

In line with this, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to reflect and not to lose sight of the true essence of the occasion by spreading kindness and selflessness.

He encouraged our countrymen not only seek to unravel the mysteries of our faith but also to illuminate the path for others through acts of kindness and selflessness in this special occasion.

The president said, “I pray that we may humbly accept our authentic selves as imperfect beings, for it is by becoming truly human that we can experience the divine. Let us always remember to seek the Lord in our desires and to desire Him in our seeking.

The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation with the third largest Catholic population in the world after Brazil and Mexico, observes Holy Week, or Semana Santa, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

The observance of Holy Week is a commemoration of the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and an opportunity to reflect on the many transcendent encounters of the Catholic faithful.

The Chief Executive explained: “This hallowed time of contemplative silence behooves us to ponder on the mysteries that elude our grasp, seek revelation in the face of the inexplicable, and acknowledge the interplay of joy and sorrow in life so that we may understand the path laid before us by Almighty God.”

He added: “May our inward reflections manifest in our outward actions as we strive to give hope in a world that is threatened by darkness. Let us be the light that shines through the shadows, the love that triumphs over despair, and the hope that radiates upon all humankind.”

The President expressed hope that the Catholic faithful will remember not for what they have reached, but for the light that they have kindled in the hearts of their fellow men.

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