On 5 October 2026, Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), welcomed Mr. Hayato Matsuoka, Mayor of Hitoyoshi City and Chairman of the Hitoyoshi-Kuma Tourism Promotion Association, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, on the occasion of his courtesy call at TICA.

On this occasion, Mr. Hayato Matsuoka expressed appreciation to TICA for the dispatch of
Ms. Chananot Ruengchouy, a Thai volunteer under the Friends from Thailand (FFT) Programme, serving as a Multicultural Support Volunteer in Hitoyoshi City. This marks the first FFT volunteer dispatched to Hitoyoshi City and the third FFT volunteer dispatched to Kumamoto Prefecture.

Both sides exchanged views on cooperation under the FFT Volunteer Programme, particularly the role of volunteers in facilitating the exchange of knowledge in education and culture, as well as promoting Hitoyoshi’s tourism attractions. This cooperation contributes to local economic development and fosters cross-cultural understanding between the two countries.