Phuket and Kenya discuss tourism and sister-city cooperation

Phuket Governor Chotinrin met Kenya’s Ambassador to Thailand, Lucy N Kiruthu, at Phuket Provincial Hall on 24 July 2026 to discuss cooperation in tourism, trade, investment, sports and marine conservation.

The meeting took place during Kiruthu’s introductory visit following her appointment. Representatives from the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office and several provincial government agencies also attended.

Chotinrin highlighted Phuket’s tourism infrastructure, more than 300 years of history and culture, and its capacity to support international visitors. He proposed cooperation with Kenya in tourism, infrastructure development, public safety, tourism management, value-added agriculture and hotel service standards.

He also suggested sports exchanges, particularly involving long-distance runners, an area in which Kenya is internationally recognised.

Kiruthu said the visit was an opportunity to strengthen relations ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and Kenya. She said the discussions included the possibility of establishing a sister-city partnership between Phuket and a Kenyan city.

The ambassador said Kenya and Phuket had similar economic strengths in maritime logistics and marine conservation, including coral reef protection. She added that Kenya was interested in Phuket’s experience in tourism development, sports tourism, the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector, and tourism management systems.

Chotinrin said Phuket was ready to exchange knowledge and cooperate with Kenya across multiple sectors.