28 October 2019 | BANGKOK – In order to foster mutual learning, Surabaya City Government conducted a technical visit to Bangkok on 28 October 2019. The visit took place within the framework of the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF), of which both Surabaya and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) are active members.
Altogether forty-five people participated in the visit, comprising ten officials and thirty-five members of media organisations. Surabaya’s delegation was led by Mr. Muhammad Fikser, Head of Public Relations Division. The particular objective of the visit was to learn about BMA’s experience in developing an integrated transportation system as Surabaya has a plan to improve its water transportation along Kalimas river to both serve citizens’ commuting and local tourism development. The information gained during the visit was further promoted through media, in order to raise public awareness on this development plan.
Mr. Sing Limphirat, BMA’s Director of Culture and Tourism Office welcomed Surabaya’s delegates. He started the progamme by explaining BMA’s tourism promotion policy and key initiatives to facilitate tourists and ensure Bangkok’s position as one of the most visited destinations in the world. The participants also gained insights on BMA’s long-term transportation infrastructure development plan, which aims to ease the city’s traffic congestion, reduce pollution and improve people’s well-being as well as living environment.
The participants also visited BMA’s new public boat pier near Hua Lamphong MRT Station as well as Hua Lumpong Railway Station, the main hub of trains that run across the country. The visit was concluded with a boat tour along Bangkok’s canal that runs through the old part of the city, enabling the participants to gained technical insights while appreciating Bangkok’s traditional way of life along the canal.
