Associate Professor Rome Chiranukrom, Vice President of Chiang Mai University, delivered a welcoming speech at the Cherry Tree Planting ceremony, held on February 5, 2019 at Chiang Mai University’s Highland Agriculture Research and Training Station. The event was initiated by ‘Yamagata-Kingdom of Thailand Friendship Association’ and after consulting and coordinating with Chiang Mai University and other related agencies including Chiang Mai Governor Office, Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Consulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai, the association chose the Highland Agriculture Research and Training Station on Doi Suthep mountain for these trees.
Considered as the national flower of Japan, the cherry trees planted in Chiang Mai will represent the close relationship between Chiang Mai Province and Yamagata City, as well as the friendship between Thailand and Japan. The honorable guests who attended the ceremony and planted the trees included Mr. Hiroji Sagae, President of Yamagata-Kingdom of Thailand Friendship Association and Head of the Japanese delegation, Supachai Iamsuwan, Vice Governor of Chiang Mai and Mr. Viroon Phantevee, Vice Governor, Mr. Kazunori Kawada, Consul-General of Japan in Chiang Mai and Ms. Pakkanan Winijchai, Director General of Tourism authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai Office.
Mr. Sagae said “Yamagata has had a long relationship with Thailand, especially in educational and human resource development. However, Yamagata would still like to establish many more active collaborations with Thailand. The cherry trees planted today will not only be a symbol of the friendship between Japan and Thailand but will also lead to more concrete and mutual beneficial projects in the years to come.”