From Bangkok to Bodh Gaya, the monk's way

Guwahati, June 28 (UNI) Bangkok Airways-Thailand's regional airline is planninig a Buddhist Tourist Circuit that would connect Bangkok with important Buddhist hubs of India like Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi, Guwahati as well as some places in Arunachal Pradesh like Tawang.

Prompted by an increase in the number of tourists visiting India from Thailand-Bangkok Airways which operates in 20 destinations in nine countries of southeast Asia - is looking into the feasibility of the circuits.

DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said tourism was an important aspect during the discussions held with the visiting Thailand delegation led by Thai Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet and the proposed Buddhist Circuit was among the moot matters of consent.

''Some places like Guwahati and Arunachal can be developed into hubs of Buddhism. Both Thailand and India are contemplating the tourist circuit connecting Bangkok to some places in India like Bodh Gaya via Guwahati. Efforts are on to put on track the plan,'' Mr Aiyar said.

Director of the Board of Trade of Thailand Dato Satish Sehgal told UNI that about 400,000 Indians visit Thailand annually and this year it might go up to 13 million. But compared to this, only a handful of Thai tourists visit India each year.

''This can be augmented. Bangkok and New Delhi are looking forward to developing further linkages in tourism and hospitality to widen economic co-operation under the Thailand-India bilateral free-trade agreement,''he added.

Mr Sehgal, who has his origins in India, was part of the Thailand delegation that visited India recently.

He said the Thai delegation's visit was an eye-opener. ''We are here to explore trading and investment opportunities. And we have identified tourism as one of the prime sectors having tremendous potential.'' ''Now that Thailand is beginning to learn more about India, the people have shown interest to visit the country, especially places like Bodh Gaya,'' he added.

Mr Sehgal also informed that Bangkok Airways is looking into the feasibility of the circuit, even as the destinations have not been finalized as yet.

Besides, a separate economic partnership agreement inked late last year alongside the Free Trade Agreement deal has provided a platform for Thai hotel operators to develop estates at tourist spots in India.

UNI