The 19th International Maritime Pilots’ Association Congress (19th IMPA Congress )

Welcome:

Dear Colleagues:

          It is Thailand’s great honor to host the 19th International Maritime Pilots’ Association Congress (19th IMPA Congress) on 4-8 August 2008 in Bangkok. It is my pleasure to invite the participation of all delegates to this Congress, which highlights the theme, “Pilots - Moving Forward Together”. More than providing a good opportunity for representatives from more than 40 member countries to take part and exchange experiences on the development of pilot skills to higher levels , the Congress offers various activities that have been organized by the host before and after the Congress. These include, for instance, study visits and tours of sites of interest throughout the country, Thai cultural shows, and social events.

          On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, the organizer of this Congress, I would like to welcome everyone and to offer all of you the warm hospitality of the Thai people. More importantly, I hope that the objectives of this meeting will bring about significant improvements in upgrading skills and knowledge to even higher levels, thus benefiting all member countries of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association.

With very best wishes


LT.JG Piyachai Uboldejpracharak, RTN.
Director of Pilot Division, Marine Department
Thailand