The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in collaboration with the PATA Thailand Chapter and Centara Grand at CentralWorld, co-organised a special gathering to honour two valued partners of the Association in Thailand’s tourism sector: Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, who recently concluded his tenure as President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the newly appointed Director General of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA).
The rooftop CRU Champagne Bar at Centara Grand at CentralWorld provided a striking backdrop for the occasion, overlooking Bangkok’s vibrant cityscape as tourism leaders, partners, and colleagues gathered to pay tribute to *Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya*, the outgoing President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and to extend congratulations to *Siripakorn Cheawsamoot*, newly appointed Director General of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA). The event wasn’t simply ceremonial—it underscored the importance of personal connections, shared vision, and continuity in driving Thailand’s tourism sector forward.
PATA Celebrates Thai Tourism Partners at Bangkok Event with a Focus on Leadership
The evening offered a rare moment for industry veterans, rising leaders, and key stakeholders to connect and reflect on Thailand’s progress as a world-class tourism destination. With Bangkok’s glittering skyline as witness, Peter Semone, PATA Chair, addressed the gathering with a message that balanced gratitude, hope, and resolve:
“Today, I am honoured to celebrate two of PATA’s dearest friends, both of whom have dedicated many years to collaborating with the Association. While we bid farewell to Khun Chiruit, our appreciation for his leadership and support extends well beyond his tenure at TCEB. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for him. At the same time, we extend our warmest congratulations to Khun Siripakorn on his well-earned appointment and look forward to continuing our close collaboration with him and DASTA in the years ahead.”
The dual purpose of the event—farewell and welcome—was central to its spirit. For those in attendance, it was an opportunity to honour a decade of remarkable achievement while anticipating new directions in sustainable tourism. This balanced approach demonstrated PATA’s role not only as an industry association but as a custodian of relationships and institutional memory that helps ensure strategic progress doesn’t lose sight of the people who make it possible.
Recognising the Impact of TCEB and DASTA Leadership
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, as President of TCEB, has been instrumental in building Thailand’s global reputation as a leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) destination. Under his leadership, TCEB didn’t just promote Thailand as an event hub but also elevated the quality and scale of its offerings to meet international expectations. He championed innovation and excellence, ensuring Thailand could compete with major destinations worldwide while retaining its distinct cultural appeal.
His tenure also saw a strengthening of collaboration between TCEB and PATA, including co-organising high-profile events such as the PATA Travel Marts and PATA Destination Marketing Forums. These events not only showcased Thailand’s readiness to host large-scale gatherings but also created platforms for industry-wide knowledge-sharing and partnership-building. TCEB’s willingness to invest in technology and strategic support during these collaborations advanced the shared goal of positioning Thailand at the centre of Southeast Asia’s tourism map.
On the other side of this leadership transition is Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, whose appointment as Director General of DASTA signals a continued emphasis on sustainable tourism development in Thailand. His background includes serving as Deputy Governor for International Marketing Europe, America, Middle East, and Africa at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), where he consistently advocated for sustainable practices and worked to diversify Thailand’s appeal across new markets. His longstanding partnership with PATA speaks to a shared vision for tourism that is not only economically beneficial but also socially and environmentally responsible.
DASTA itself has become a prominent voice in shaping Thailand’s sustainable tourism policies, working on initiatives that balance development with community benefit and environmental preservation. Siripakorn’s appointment is widely seen as a vote of confidence in the ongoing effort to embed sustainability more deeply in Thailand’s tourism strategy—a message that resonates strongly with PATA’s mission and the evolving expectations of global travellers.
Industry Voices Highlight Connection and Continuity
Ben Montgomery, Corporate Ambassador for Centara Hotels & Resorts, Executive Board Member of PATA, and Chairperson of the PATA Thailand Chapter also underscored the importance of this transition.
As the event’s organising lead, he reminded attendees of the network’s unique role in bringing together diverse stakeholders: “The PATA network has always been about forging lasting connections and uplifting the tourism family in times of need. At this crucial turning point, we must focus on connecting past, present, and future leaders from both the public and private sectors to ensure the meaningful progress of our industry and community.”
His comments captured the evening’s mood perfectly. For PATA and its partners, the gathering wasn’t just about individual careers but about ensuring that institutional knowledge, networks, and shared values are passed on effectively. In a sector often driven by fast-changing trends and market forces, this kind of intentional continuity offers a counterbalance—one that values relationships as much as strategy.
Such sentiments were reflected throughout the evening, as industry peers mingled, shared memories, and discussed future opportunities against the sparkling backdrop of Bangkok. Among the notable guests were Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, and Supawan Teerarat, President of the National Food Institute—both representing key institutions in Thailand’s broader tourism and hospitality ecosystem. Their presence reinforced the idea that collaboration across sectors remains essential for long-term success.
Building Toward a Sustainable and Collaborative Future
Events like this one highlight why PATA’s role remains so critical in the modern tourism landscape. As an association that spans the Pacific Asia region, PATA serves as a connector and facilitator, helping to align local ambitions with global best practices. By recognising and celebrating leadership transitions, PATA also signals its belief in strong, values-driven partnerships as the foundation for sustainable industry growth.
Thailand’s tourism sector faces both opportunities and challenges as it continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while navigating shifting traveller preferences toward more responsible, meaningful experiences. Institutions like TCEB and DASTA will play essential roles in ensuring that the country remains competitive while meeting these evolving expectations. PATA’s willingness to support and collaborate with these organisations reinforces its commitment to fostering solutions that benefit communities, businesses, and visitors alike.
Beyond the symbolic importance of saying farewell to Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya and welcoming Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the Bangkok event provided an important platform for dialogue about what the next phase of Thailand’s tourism development should look like. By convening past, present, and future leaders in one place, the gathering created a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining the sector’s momentum and ensuring that its benefits are widely felt.
In many ways, PATA Celebrates Thai Tourism Partners at Bangkok Event is more than just a line in the association’s calendar—it is a statement of intent. It says that despite industry shifts and leadership changes, the values of partnership, sustainability, and shared vision remain at the heart of tourism’s promise. And as Thailand’s tourism sector turns the page to a new chapter, the connections forged and reaffirmed at this event will help ensure that the journey ahead is one defined by collaboration, resilience, and meaningful progress.
Photo shows: L/R: Robert Maurer-Loeffler, Vice President Operations & General Manager, Centara Hotels & Resorts; Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT); Supawan Teerarat, President, National Food Institute; Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Director General, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA); Ben Montgomery, Corporate Ambassador, Centara Hotels & Resorts; Executive Board Member, PATA, and Chairperson, PATA Thailand Chapter; Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Former President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB); and Peter Semone, Chair, PATA.
