Picture: 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.
(IN SHORT) On 17 June at Centara Grand’s CRU Champagne Bar, PATA and its Thailand Chapter honoured outgoing TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya and welcomed Siripakorn Cheawsamoot as DASTA’s new Director General. PATA Chair Peter Semone and event organiser Ben Montgomery highlighted both men’s contributions to Thailand’s tourism sector—Chiruit for boosting the country’s MICE standing through joint PATA events, and Siripakorn for his longstanding advocacy of sustainable tourism. The gathering underscored PATA’s commitment to forging strong public–private partnerships and featured senior industry figures including TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool and National Food Institute President Supawan Teerarat.
(PRESS RELEASE) BANGKOK, 2025-Jun-27 — /Travel PR News/ — On 17 June, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), together with its Thailand Chapter and host Centara Grand at CentralWorld, held a special rooftop reception at CRU Champagne Bar to honour two of its Thai tourism partners. Guests bade farewell to Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, outgoing President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and extended a warm welcome to Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, newly instated Director General of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA).
PATA Chair Peter Semone paid tribute to both leaders, noting, “Today we celebrate Khun Chiruit’s many years of collaboration and leadership at TCEB, and we eagerly anticipate his next endeavors. At the same time, we congratulate Khun Siripakorn on his appointment and look forward to deepening our partnership with DASTA under his guidance.”
Ben Montgomery, Corporate Ambassador for Centara Hotels & Resorts and Chair of PATA’s Thailand Chapter, emphasised the importance of continuity in tourism leadership: “By bringing together former, current and future champions from the public and private sectors, we ensure our industry and communities continue to thrive.”
During his TCEB tenure, Chiruit was instrumental in elevating Thailand’s MICE profile, partnering with PATA on flagship events like PATA Travel Marts and Destination Marketing Forums, and providing both strategic vision and tech support. Siripakorn—formerly Deputy Governor for International Marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand—has long championed sustainable tourism, and his new role heading DASTA promises to strengthen joint efforts in developing eco-friendly destinations.
The evening also featured distinguished attendees such as Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Supawan Teerarat, President of the National Food Institute.
Media contact:
Tel: +66 (0)2-460-9264
E-mail: communications@PATA.org
SOURCE: Pacific Asia Travel Association
