According to a press release issued by NTB on Sunday, the organisers are eyeing the potential of outbound travellers in the Southeast Asia region. On Tuesday, the mission was scheduled to present a programme in Bangkok highlighting Nepal's Buddhist pilgrimage sites and other attractions.

Likewise, being a pioneer country in adventure activities, Nepal showcased its soft-adventure attractions. - The Kathmandu Post/ANN.

THAI forest project

Thai Airways International is organising the "Plook Cheewit Hai Pandin" project to celebrate the His Majesty the King's 80th birthday and to continue to preserve forested areas following the lead of His Majesty's Royal Development Project.

This year, 300 THAI staff will participate in the project at Huai Sai Royal Development Centre in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district on Saturday, the national carrier said in a recent statement. Huai Sai was a fertile and forested area. However, deforestation increased due to agricultural settlement in the area, while the predominantly pineapple cultivation that replaced the forest has caused a problem of erosion of the dry and sandy soil.

After 12 years of work, the area is now fertile and forested. Local people can sell mushrooms from the forest earning Bt20,000 monthly from the annual sales of 40 tonnes of mushrooms. - The Nation.

Dhaka welcomes access

Bangladesh welcomed Thailand's proposal to give duty-free access for 229 Bangladeshi products to the Thai market, its foreign affairs adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said recently.

"The government hopes this proposal will be implemented soon and the number of Bangla-deshi products with duty-free access will in-crease further," United News of Bangladesh quoted him as saying.

The adviser emphasised that economic, social and cultural cooperation should be strengthened for improving the living standard of the peoples of both countries. - The Nation.